Katie Eggert - THON

“At that moment, the greatest, most inspirational journey of my life had begun.”

Katie Eggert discusses dancing for THON

Early last week, I had plans of driving myself and 10 other students to University Park to begin the greatest weekend of the year. That weekend is THON. For those of you who do not know, THON is an organization that raises money and awareness for pediatric cancer for the Four Diamonds Fund. THON weekend is a 46-hour no-sleeping, no-sitting dance marathon. 710 lucky, passionate dancers are chosen to dance the whole 46 hours. Last Wednesday, I was sitting in the library getting some last minute things taken care of before leaving for the weekend until I received a text message from our overall THON chair saying she needed to talk to me. My first thought was “Oh my God I am going to get in trouble! What could I have done?” That was the moment I was offered one of the four dancer positions after unfortunately hearing one dancer could not do it due to illness. I began to shake and accepted the offer; I cannot even explain the emotions running through my mind.

The other three dancers and I all agreed on one thing: the magnitude of the event did not hit us until we entered the Bryce Jordan Center. Walking through the human tunnel entering the BJC was absolutely incredible. Before entering the BJC, I saw my parents and sister. At that moment, I began to cry at the amazing opportunity I had been given. We entered the BJC and went back to dancer storage where every dancer is given a locker to keep belongings, which is decorated by our moralers. My moraler was absolutely incredible and kept me going through the weekend, especially at my extreme low points. We walked out onto the floor and began to stretch. Six o’clock was quickly approaching and soon the countdown began.  “10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1” At that moment, the greatest, most inspirational journey of my life had begun.

The BJC was full of energy and we couldn’t be any happier. When the first inspirational video was played, it struck me what exactly I was doing. I began to sob knowing I am a part of something that is so much bigger than myself. As time went by, my energy began to dwindle done. At one point of the weekend, it became very difficult to stay awake. I had ice down my back, was put outside a couple of times, and nothing seemed to be having a long-term effect. I was then placed in the ice bath. As much as I hated it, it definitely woke me up!!! 

This past weekend was the most amazing experience; there are no true words to explain. I cannot thank everyone enough for all the support and the encouraging dancer mail and letters. I also cannot thank you enough for the piggyback rides and foot massages. I dance for those who can’t. I dance for the fight. I dance for the cure. I dance for the kids. One day we will dance in celebration. Until then, we dance for the cure. FTK, always and forever.           

Tye Morales - Mechanical Engineering

Hi, my name is Tye Morales and I’m a freshman at Penn State Berks. I’m a Mechanical Engineering and Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology major planning to stay here all four years. I am a commuter student from Reading, and I love being able to be part of Penn State and still be at home. I am getting more involved on campus, and as of right now, I am part of the Berks Honors Club and part of the Penn State Shreyer Honors College.

Speaking at the 2012 Chancellor's Circle Dinner

I choose to study in engineering fields because when I was in middle school, I was introduced to circuitry and what engineers do. Then later, when I got to high school, I took two of the engineering programs offered and loved what I was learning. Mechanical engineering is one of the more popular forms of engineering, but I became interested in it because mechanical engineering can be used anywhere and mechanical engineers can work with anyone. I’ve seen them work with architects, medical professionals, chemists, and the list really just keeps going. To me, mechanical engineers are at the forefront of the research and inventions that help everything progress. 

I’m hoping to use the Penn State Berks Mechanical Engineering program to better develop my design process and virtual design skills. The new resources we have in the Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building are some of the best I’ve seen. I’m a bit of a “techy,” so I got really wrapped up in how much could be done. Part of being in the Penn State Schreyer Honors College is conducting research to be able to compose an honors thesis by the time I graduate. Mechanical engineering gives me great opportunities to not only do research, but to also decide what subject to research. In my future career, my particular interest is working in nanotechnology, and both of my majors allow me to harness the skills and understanding I need, and also do research for the Schreyer Honors College. I’m hoping to take what I learn in the Mechanical Engineering program and use it in designing nanotechnology that can be used in eco-friendly and hybrid mechanisms. Sounds a little tough, but I’m positive I can handle it with what I learn.

Penn State is one of the leading schools in engineering, and when I interned for an architecture firm, I was told that Penn State students graduate with some of the best training and experience. I already loved Penn State Berks before I heard about the M.E. program, but now that I can take advantage of it, I love being at Berks even more. I can’t wait to start working in the mechanical engineering field, and I’m confident that while I’m at Berks for Mechanical Engineering, I will be able to do what I want in the future.

Katie Eggert - Opportunity House

On Monday, Jan. 21, Penn State along with other universities and schools had the day off for the recognition of Martin Luther King. Although we did not have classes, many of us volunteered at Opportunity House for the morning/afternoon. For those of you who do not know, Opportunity House is a shelter for those who cannot be on their own. Individuals come here to seek help and receive meals. The Opportunity House also has a Learning Center, which serves as a 24-hour daycare service. This organization is a great program for getting people back on their own two feet! 

           

I absolutely love this organization and volunteer there often through Penn State!  On Monday, we made lunch for everyone. When you help out in the kitchen, you bring the food you plan on making. Because of this ridiculous cold weather, we thought it would be a great day for soup. We made grilled cheese with tomato soup, green beans, and cookies. This lunch brought back great childhood memories of eating grilled cheese and tomato soup in the elementary daysJ. The best feeling in the world is knowing you helped someone. Just taking time out of your day from studying or just hanging out with friends to help those less fortunate is the greatest feeling in the world!

          

Before starting my freshmen year here at Penn State Berks, I decided to do the optional summer community service program through the college. We helped deliver meals to the elderly, cleaned a local park, helped build a house with Habitat for Humanity, and my favorite–working with Opportunity House. We were sent into the Learning Center with the children. This is why it was my absolute favorite; I absolutely love kids!

The night before going to Opportunity House, we all went to Barnes and Noble to choose a book to read to the kids. We chose to read Where The Wild Things Are, a book we all remember from our childhood. After figuring out what to read, we then came up with the craft to go along with the book. Our craft was making monster puppets with brown paper bags! :) We acted out the book for kids not just once … not twice … but three times. They could not stop smiling and laughing. Knowing that we were responsible for their happiness was an amazing feeling. One little boy actually started crying when I left, which made me cry, but spending time with him and the others was absolutely incredible and I will never forget this experience.

Volunteering for organizations is a passion of mine and these memories are ones I will never forget thanks to Penn State Berks! WE ARE …