ComRadio THON Month

Audio/Story posted February 8, 2012 in CommRadio, THON 2012 by ComRadio PR Updated: February 25, 2012

ComRadio is dedicating the month of February to THON. One THON wrap will be played each day on ComRadio News which airs weekdays at 6pm ET.

Below is an archive of all the THON Wraps played on the air:

 

February 1 - Natasha Cooper gets the scoop on what "Mail Call" at THON is all about.

 

 

 

February 2 - Tabitha Venkersammy explores how Greek Life gets involved in THON.

 

 

 

February 3 - Marielena Balouris talks to students at Penn State about how they are involved with THON and why they decide to get involved.

 

 

 

February 6 - Jasmine Allen finds more details on how Hope Gala raises funds for THON.

 

 

 

February 7 -  Amanda Jacobs uncovers why the final canning weekend for THON was moved up a week and measures the success of the decision.

 

 

 

February 8 - Danielle Matalonis digs deeper into the roles of what a THON moraler is responsible for on THON weekend.

 

 

 

February 9 - Paula Broussard examines how important the tours given to various contributors of THON are.

 

 

 

February 10 - Jillian Johnson finds out more about "terpTHON" at the University of Maryland which was inspired by Penn State's IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.

 

 

 

February 13 - Evan Nelson finds out more about the new THON app for smartphones.

 

 

 

February 13 - McKenzie Millward explains that THON is much more than just a 46 hour event, but it is actually a year-round fundraising effort.

 

 

 

 

February 14 -  Morgan Raphael finds out some of the last minute fundraising efforts for THON organizations are putting together with the big weekend just three days away.

 

 

 

February 15 - Amy Simpson finds out more about THON's most profitable organizations, Atlas.

 

 

 

February 15 - Carissa Gaither also uncovers some of the last minute fundraising efforts organizations are putting together for THON.

 

 

 

MORE THON STORIES:

John Blauvelt and Bryan McSorley find out more about the Operations (or OPP) committee at THON:

 

 

Cassie Hom talks about one organization taking a different spin on THON fundraising efforts:

 

 

Cassie Hom talks about how the LA Alumni chapter is getting involved in THON (Jan. 30):

 

 

Breanna Jacobs talks about ComRadio's THON fundraising efforts for this year:

 

 

Mirella Wells discusses the third canning weekend being cancelled:

 

About the Contributors

Morgan Raphael's photo

Morgan Raphael

Freshman / Broadcast Journalism

Henry David Thoreau once said, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.”  Ever since I was a little girl, despite my brief period of shyness, all I wanted was to be on the camera or the stage.  At age three I was forced into a bright turquoise and gold sequined costume with a giant bow plastered on my head for my first dance recital.  From that day forward, my life continued to grow on the stage.  I became a passionate dancer, until injuring my knee at age 14, an obstacle that transformed me into a “theater geek”.  My passion for acting began and I then realized how much I love connecting with an audience.  As the curtains closed after every show, my heart warmed with the roar of their hands clapping.  A couple years later, a light-bulb moment occurred.  I realized I can not only perform, but share knowledge and connect with an audience by majoring in Broadcast Journalism; so here I am, dedicated and excited while studying at Penn State University.  My dream job is to become a TV reporter for an entertainment station, however, any experience I can obtain would make me extremely happy and grateful.  ComRadio has given me first-hand experience on accomplishing my dream.  Everytime I hear the news intro music, my heart flutters; I feel as though I am gravitating more toward my dream each time.

Amy Simpson's photo

Amy Simpson

Senior / Broadcast Journalism

Amy is a senior studying broadcast journalism with concurrent minors in French and political science. This past summer, Amy worked as a newsroom intern at CNBC’s Washington Bureau. Through academic and extracurricular activities she has developed a love for current events, politics, and interviewing sources. Covering the 2012 Presidential Election live for Penn State ComRadio motivated her addition of a second minor in political science. Amy’s involvement with ComRadio began with reporting and anchoring, grew to producing and serving as news director, and finally representing the station as general manager, which is the position she holds at this time. Currently, she is also a reporter, anchor, and producer for the Centre County Report. Following graduation, Amy hopes to work as a reporter, multimedia journalist, and news anchor.

mirellawells's photo

mirellawells

Senior / Broadcast Journalism

Mirella Wells is a senior from Yardley, Pa. majoring in broadcast journalism with minors in both history and English. She is an active member of the ComRadio news team as a reporter, anchor and most recently a producer. She is a hard working student who pays great attention to detail in her writing and work. She worked as an intern for WBCB 1490 in Levittown, PA. After graduation, she aspires to be a reporter for a local radio or television station in the Philadelphia area.

Paula Broussard's photo

Paula Broussard

Senior / Broadcast Journalism

My show was called The Valley Girl and it aired Sundays at 8pm here on ComRadio throughout the fall and spring semesters.

I just graduated in May and I am looking for a full time job in the Communication field.

Marielena Balouris's photo

Marielena Balouris

Senior / Broadcast Journalism and Political Science

Marielena Balouris is a senior and is thrilled to be reporting, anchoring and producing for The Centre County Report for the fall 2014 semester.  She is double majoring in broadcast journalism and political science and is passionate about the television news industry.  Marielena has interned for ABC7 in Washington, DC, WTOV9 in Steubenville, OH, AccuWeather in State College, PA and NewsTalk1020 KDKA in Pittsburgh.  After graduation, she hopes to work as a reporter in local news.

At Penn State, she is currently the production director for State of State 2015 and one of the producers of 46LIVE: The THON webcast.  She was actively involved with PSN News, working as executive producer, news producer, sports anchor, and news reporter over the course of three years.  Marielena has also been involved in a number of other organizations, including Essence of Joy Choir, the Presidential Leadership Academy and THON.  Marielena can also be seen walking around backwards on campus giving tours as a Lion Ambassador.

Evan Nelson's photo

Evan Nelson

Senior / Telecom

JonBlauvelt's photo

JonBlauvelt

Senior / Broadcast Journalism and Political Science

Jon Blauvelt is a senior at Penn State majoring in Broadcast Journalism/Political Science and minoring in Spanish.

Blauvelt has experience across communications in TV, radio, print, public relations and corporate communications. Check out his LinkedIn profile for more information.

You can also follow Blauvelt on Twitter @JonRBlauvelt.

Carissa Gaither's photo

Carissa Gaither

Senior / Broadcast Journalism

Carissa Gaither is a Broadcast Journalism major with minors in Business and Sociology. She is a reporter and anchor for the Centre County Report and serves as news director for ComRadio. Over the past four years, in addition to radio and television reporting she has interned at PoshSeven Magazine, participated in working for the World and Conversation Practicum, interned with Sirius XM, and interned for George Mason University as part of their government mentoring team. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in hosting and reporting for television.

Amanda Jacobs's photo

Amanda Jacobs

Sophomore / Broadcast Journalism


 

Tabitha Venkersammy's photo

Tabitha Venkersammy

Senior / Public Relations

I have worked for ComRadio for the past three years dabbling in News and Entertainment, working as a producer and a host. I have also hosted 4 hours of THON 2010 and served as one of the THON chairs for ComRadio. I have done work in the past for the Daily Collegian. I am currently interning at Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics where my jobs can range from filming/editing games and controlling promotions shown at athletic events. I also am currently interning at the new rock station in Happy Valley, The Eagle 98.7. I am trying to promote the new station and create its image. I hope after graduation to work for The Walt Disney Company in Orlando, FL and use my knowledge gained from ComMedia down there.

Danielle Matalonis's photo

Danielle Matalonis

Senior / Broadcast Journalism/ Political Science

Danielle Matalonis is a senior studying Broadcast Journalism.  She has a special interest in covering news and in-depth issues. Danielle has interned at StateCollege.com, WPSU-FM, and Magnum Broadcasting.  She was also a contributor to ComRadio.  Her dream is to become an international reporter for a public broadcasting company.

Bryan McSorley's photo

Bryan McSorley

Senior / Broadcast Journalism

Bryan McSorley is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism from Conway, Pennsylvania.  He has gained valuable experience in the broadcast field through his work with ComRadio, Centre County Report and his internship with Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. As a member of ComRadio, McSorley has worked as play-by-play broadcaster, color analyst and board operator for many NCAA sports. He also co-host ComRadio’s Inside the NFL radio show. McSorley was the technical director for the Centre County Report starting in the spring of 2013 and has continued work with them this semester. In the future, McSorley dreams of working for a major sports production company either behind the scenes or in front of the camera.

Breanna Jacobs's photo

Breanna Jacobs

Senior / Broadcast Journalism

Breanna Jacobs is majoring in Broadcast Journalism and minoring in Kinesiology at The Pennsylvania State University. She is a member of the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism. She is also a member of ComRadio, Penn State’s student-run, web-based radio station. She has hosted her own radio show called “Off the Field”, co-hosted a show called “Inside the NFL”, been a beat writer for the Lady Lions and the women’s softball team, and has produced women’s softball, among various other things.

Breanna is the over-all chair for ComRadio’s THON organization and enjoys volunteering. She has spent time volunteering with Centre County PAWS, Santa’s Vision and The Drayton Florence Foundation. Breanna also works at Penn State Lion Line, calling alumni, parents and friends of Penn State to help raise money for Penn State academics.

When she graduates, Breanna’s goal is to earn a job working for her favorite NFL team, the Buffalo Bills. She hopes to either work on their media team or in a player development position.

JasminePSU's photo

JasminePSU

Junior / Telecommunications

Cassandra Hom's photo

Cassandra Hom

Senior / Broadcast Journalism

Cassandra Hom is a senior majoring in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in sociology and international studies at Penn State University.  She is a reporter for ComRadio, the Penn State student-run radio station that features news and sports.  Additionally, she is also a reporter and producer for the Centre County Report.  Cassandra is currently a production intern for the Pennsylvania Cable Network.  Recently, she returned from an international reporting trip in Brazil for the McClatchy news service.  In May 2012, Cassandra will graduate from Penn State and then pursue a career in television production. 

Natasha Cooper's photo

Natasha Cooper

Freshman / Broadcast Journalism

McKenzie Millward's photo

McKenzie Millward

Senior / Broadcast Journalism

Jillian Johnson's photo

Jillian Johnson

2013 Graduate / Broadcast Journalism

My name is Jillian Johnson and I am a senior here at Penn State. I am studying Broadcast Journalism with a minor in English and I am hoping to pursue a career in radio or television news. I have a passion for traveling and my ultimate goal would be to become an international reporter.