Name: Carley Mykut

Major: Biology

Previous THON Experience:

THON 2023 – Hospitality Committee Member

THON 2024 – Orchesis Dance Company Family Relations Chair

THON 2025 – Orchesis Dance Company Primary Chair & Family Relations Captain- Family Events Coordinator

What made you want to apply for a director position for THON 2026?

Each year that I have been involved in THON, my love for this incredible organization grows as I am able to see more of the magic a group of students is able to create. Seeing how 16,500 volunteers stand united each year against childhood cancer is truly unlike anything I have ever been a part of. 

I wanted to apply for a director position for the largest student-run philanthropy in the world to ensure no family walks the fight against childhood cancer alone. Through THON, I have been deeply impacted by the families I have met along the way, and witnessing their unbelievable strength and unwavering hope has been beyond inspiring.

Coming into this year, I knew that I wanted to give my time and effort in support of these families along their journey. Everything I do is for them, and of course, for the day that we are able to dance in celebration of a cure!  

What are your responsibilities as a THON Director?

My role as the Family Relations Director is to work with my 25 captains to uphold to emotional support aspect of THON’s mission. As a committee, we are committed to ensuring all families feel welcome and supported within our organization and at in-person events. Likewise, I work to assist my captain in providing support programming throughout the year, including our Adopt-A-Family Program, TEENetwork, Pen Pal, and more!

Likewise, working as a team to facilitate and execute family-centered events throughout the year, including Harvest Day, Teen Nights, Family Carnival, and others. This includes providing information about event logistics, accessibility, and connecting Four Diamonds Families with THON Volunteers. Additionally, I have the absolute pleasure of being the main point of contact for families to ask any questions they may have throughout the year!  

What do you want to implement in your position this year that differs from years past?

One item that I am working on implementing this year is a brand-new family portal for families to utilize throughout the year to get the most up-to-date information, sign up for events, and more! My hope for this is to make communication between THON volunteers and families as efficient and effective as possible.  

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

Family Relations is able to provide emotional support to countless families each and every year, spreading the “magic” of THON. We can connect families with so many incredible opportunities, THON Volunteers, and other families. Likewise, Family Relations is able to share the stories of our Four Diamonds Families and keep the families at the heart of everything that we do.  

What are the overall goals you hope to reach with your committee for THON 2026?

My goals I wish to reach this year are to make every family feel as though they are seen, valued, and supported within our THON and Penn State community. I want every family to feel the magnitude of the entire Penn State community behind them and supporting them every day. Whether it is a family story, family interaction, or the outward passion towards THON we portray, I would like Family Relations to inspire even more students to become involved with THON!  

Why do you THON?

I THON for every family that has been impacted by childhood cancer. I THON for our siblings, parents, teens, and those who we remember in our hearts— for more birthdays, more smiles, and more dreams to come true. And of course, I THON for the day that we dance in celebration of a cure.  

What’s your favorite THON memory?

My favorite memory is Final Four during THON 2025! Being able to have this experience with my co-captains on Family Relations was beyond inspirational and truly magical. Hearing every word of every family speaker and being able to see the total raised for THON 2025 right in front of me was incredible. A close second, though, would definitely be Kids’ and Teens’ Talent Show THON 2025, as this was an event my co-captains and I were in charge of, so seeing this come to life was such a surreal feeling!  

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

Stegosaurus