As a second semester senior I’ve now been asked on several occasions by adults, peers, and incoming students what I’ll miss most about my undergraduate experience as a UConn Husky. Much like other seniors I could recall witnessing a Men’s Basketball national championship victory from Gampel Pavillion, the olden days roughing it in McMahon (pre-renovation), and getting involved in Greek life. Yes, these experiences all had a huge impact on my UConn experience, yet when I look back on my time in Storrs one weekend out of each year stands out like no other – the weekend of HuskyTHON.
I recall first hearing about HuskyTHON at a new member meeting for my sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. While I felt like our older sisters were out of their minds for trying to convince us that being awake and on our feet for 18 hours was “fun” I decided to give it a shot as a way of getting to know other women in my chapter and pledge class. It wasn’t until I stepped into the Greer Field House that weekend in February, surrounded by thousands of other Greeks, athletes, and students coming together for one common goal, that I understood just how impactful an event HuskyTHON truly is.
Whether we as students recognize it or not, college tends to be an incredibly selfish time in our lives. We’re all thinking of ways to get ahead, while on any given day there are children at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center just trying to stay alive. We complain about having an early class, while some of these children have been so sick since the day they were born that they haven’t been able to enter a regular school.
As someone who’s watched several family members and friends fight (and sometimes lose) their battles against various cancers and illnesses, I feel as though being a part of HuskyTHON’s Management Team is the least I can do. Will you be tired? Sure. Will your feet be sore? Absolutely. Is it worth each and every second of being tired and sore? Without a doubt.
Why do I dance?
For the future leaders of this nation.
For the future teachers, lawyers, and doctors.
For future UConn Huskies in the making.
For the Kids.