Name: Bri Boyle

Major: Secondary social studies education

Past THON Experience
THON 2019: OPP committee member, Monarch org member
THON 2020: Finance administrative assistant captain, Monarch finance chair, Monarch dancer
THON 2021: Finance assistant treasurer captain, Monarch vice president & fundraising chair

Name an interesting, weird, or quirky fact about yourself. 

I don’t dot my “I”s.

What made you want to apply for the Finance director position for THON 2022?

Ever since my first THON in 2013, I had known that I wanted to put all my time and energy into this organization, but really the events of this past year had furthered my passion to become a director. Within the past year, the entire THON community continued to put all their devotion into making an impact for our Four Diamonds families, even if we were constantly questioning what was going to happen amidst the pandemic. I struggle to describe how grateful I am to be part of something so amazing and how proud I am to be a Penn Stater. After showing the world that we still raised $10.6 million during a global pandemic, I saw how strong the THON community proved to be. Those involved in THON do not just attend our school; they are located across the country and send their support to State College. The invincibility and perseverance of the THON community had truly changed my view of the world. I know that one day we will dance in celebration because of our determination to help all the families who have been impacted by childhood cancer. THON 2022 is unpredictable. There are going to be unforeseen obstacles just like any other year, but I wanted to be part of the executive committee to keep on fighting and do everything in my power to continue to make an impact, For The Kids always.

 What are your responsibilities as the Finance director?

As the Finance Director throughout the year, I oversee the tracking and managing of the total of the THON community’s fundraising efforts, creating and maintaining the THON 2022 budget, as well as producing the summary of fundraising activities for THON 2021. I also work to assure that all monetary donations are processed with integrity by the 23 captains and 63 committee members. During THON Weekend, my responsibilities include processing donations made over the weekend, assuring accurate records, and calculating the final THON Weekend total.

What do you want to implement in your position this year that’s unique and different from years past?

PNC deposits just began this past winter break, so THON 2022 has been the first year utilizing themthroughout the entire fundraising window and the first year in which summer fundraising was allowed.  This year, I want to spread more education and awareness about the PNC deposits, how they can be done, and why this can benefit organizations. In doing this, students can and have been spreading awareness and fundraising during breaks and over the summer.

What makes the Finance committee so cool, fun, and/or important?

The thing that I think makes the Finance committee so cool is that we work throughout the entire year counting cash, entering checks, and tracking organization totals.  Each and every day, we get to see the impact that THON is going to make for so many families.  This year, we will count millions of dollars that will fund the critical research that discovers new treatments and medications for childhood cancer. Itwill transform the hospital into a home for our families while they spend countless hours there focusing on helping their kid feel better. It will allow Four Diamonds social workers to say to a family in one of their darkest moments, “We got you.” Last year, we counted $10,638,078.62 to the penny, and that money created life. We will create the total this year, which will give volunteers, nurses, doctors, families, kids, and the rest of THON community hope.  

What are the overall goals you hope to reach with your committee for THON 2022?

The main goal I have within my committee is to implement a safe and welcoming environment for everyone on Finance.  I love how we are a small, tight-knit committee because everyone gets the chance to meet all the other members of Finance. It gives us all the opportunity to become so close, like a family. I hope to help create a sense of belonging in Finance for so many others, whether that is for someone who has never been on a committee before, or someone who has been on Finance for 4 years. FIN FAM Forever!  

Why do you THON?

When I was 12, my brother, a Penn State student at the time, decided to start Monarch with his close friends. They planned for Monarch to be a small special interest organization, one that could be more closed-knit, and truly a family. Since he helped start this amazing organization my brother wanted our family to visit him at Monarch’s first THON in 2013. Walking into the Bryce Jordan Center, I was not prepared for the feeling that overcame me. It was truly a life changing experience. My family and I went into Monarch’s section and met the Keister family for the first time. Dylan Keister had the biggest smile I had ever seen when he first met us and immediately sprayed us with a water gun. I always knew I wanted to attend Penn State but ever since the moment I saw Dylan smile, I knew I wanted to come to Penn State to be a part of THON. Ever since that moment and to this day, I THON for Monarch’s families.  For the Keisters, For The Snyders, and For The Queen.

What’s your favorite THON memory?

In THON 2021, my co-captain and I were the ones to calculate all organization totals.  Since we weren’t in the BJC last year, we got to do this in the THON Office.  We started this process at midnight Saturday going into Sunday and finished at 4 a.m. on Sunday.  When we had finalized them, we both just looked to each other, smiled, and started blasting a song that we both loved.  While the song was playing, we got up on the tables in the and just started dancing. In that moment, we knew that we did not need to be in the BJC for THON to still be as amazing as it is. Wee knew that THON was that feeling that we’re experiencing right then and there, and we knew that dancing on the tables was a memory we would never forget.

Per Onward State tradition, if you could be any dinosaur, which would you be and why?

Hmmmm…I think I would want to be a Brontosaurus to see what it’s like to be tall.