How HuskyTHON Student Leaders Are Changing Lives

What first drew me to HuskyTHON was the community. As someone who came from a small hometown and a tight knit group of friends, I craved community as a college freshman. On one of the first weekends, I saw the 2023 Management Team on campus during HuskyTHON’s annual Kickoff. They were talking, laughing, and looked so happy to be there with each other. I registered right away, looking to find a similar feeling for myself. 

What inspired me to take on a leadership role within HuskyTHON is truly the people. While I have always described myself as a go-getter and driven, what made me want to continue deepening my involvement in this organization is the people I have met along the way. Being surrounded by individuals who consistently uplift one another and work toward something greater than themselves made me want to not only contribute more, but also step into a role where I could empower others in the same way.

My most memorable HuskyTHON moment is the “Hey Jude” segment of Night Of 2025. That year, I was the Director of Entertainment, which means that I helped plan the logistics of Night Of, whether it was the script, timeline, or schedule. All of the planning took months, since there were hundreds of moving parts. When Night Of finally came, it was incredibly rewarding to see all of our hard work come together, but I don’t think it really hit me until the entire Management Team was on stage singing “Hey Jude” right before the big fundraising reveal. From the stage, I could see all our participants standing together on the floor, and I can confidently say that it was the most people I’ve ever seen in one room. In that moment, all of the stress that went into planning Night Of faded away, and all I could think about was how grateful I felt to be a part of this organization with all of these people.

In HuskyTHON, we have something that we call a “why.” This is essentially the reason that our participants choose to be a part of HuskyTHON, whatever that may be. Something that I have learned over my years as a HuskyTHON participant is that part of motivating others to give means helping them find their why. When someone understands the meaning behind their involvement, their passion becomes deeper, and their commitment becomes stronger.

I’ve always known that I wanted to be a lawyer, but HuskyTHON only deepened my desire to help others through my career. Being a part of an organization so rooted in service showed me how powerful it is use your voice and knowledge to support others, which is why I hope to pursue a legal career centered on advocacy.

To engage and inspire the UConn community to support HuskyTHON, I believe that the rest of the team and I have tried our best to show them why HuskyTHON matters. Through tabling, events, and outreach, we have connected our mission to the real impact it has on patients and families at Connecticut Children’s. All our events include a cause connection table where participants can learn about a patient from Connecticut Children’s. Likewise, almost all our fundraising minimums and suggested donation amounts are tied to specific statistics from Connecticut Children’s, allowing our participants to understand their impact. By fostering an environment that is rooted in purpose, I aimed to inspire others to see themselves as part of something bigger than themselves.

Connecticut Children’s is a health system whose mission I deeply admire, which is why I will always choose to support it through my own giving. I first walked through its doors at 16 years old, receiving MRIs in Radiology and being cared for by an incredible team that included both an endocrinologist and neurologist. As a former patient and now a member of HuskyTHON’s leadership team, I’ve experienced Connecticut Children’s from both sides—as someone receiving care and as someone helping raise critical funds. Seeing how donor support strengthens the very teams and technology that once cared for me continues to inspire me to give back and advocate for Connecticut Children’s.

When I look back on my HuskyTHON experience, I believe the connections I made along the way will matter most. Through HuskyTHON, I was connected to so many people who also want to leave UConn better than they found it and chose to join HuskyTHON to do so. I find it incredible that thousands of students are willing to dedicate their time, energy, and resources to a cause greater than themselves, driven by a shared purpose. Being surrounded by such a motivated group not only strengthened my sense of belonging, but also inspired me to grow as a person.

To our friends, families, and supporters, I would simply say thank you for believing in HuskyTHON and our mission. HuskyTHON is built on a community of people who care deeply about making a difference, and the continued support from others is what truly helps make this organization what it is.

This is an experience that I would recommend to anyone looking to get involved on campus. HuskyTHON, and Dance Marathons more broadly, are the kind of organizations where you truly get out what you put in. Over the past four years, I’ve gained more than I ever could have imagined, from lasting friendships and meaningful connections to personal and professional growth. The impact you make, both on others and within yourself, makes every ounce of effort worthwhile. 

What makes the experience especially meaningful is how unique it is. There are very few opportunities where students can directly contribute to a mission with such tangible and visible impact. As a HuskyTHON participant, you’re not only supporting patients and families at Connecticut Children’s, you’re also a part of a massive movement driven by passion and purpose. It’s an experience that leaves a lasting impression long after your time at UConn.