When I first stepped onto UConn’s campus four years ago — a chemistry major from Jersey Shore, nervous but excited — I didn’t know much about HuskyTHON. I never could have guessed that it would become the thing that shaped me most during my time here. Not just through what I gave, but through what I received from the people around me.
During freshman year, standing outside on the Great Lawn for my first HuskyTHON, I was intimidated. I barely knew anyone. I wondered if I had what it took to make an impact in something so huge. But I danced, shivered, laughed and slowly started to feel it — the power of community. There was something about hundreds of students coming together, not for themselves, but for kids and families they might never even meet, that made UConn start to feel like home.
Each year, I found myself getting more involved — not because I had to, but because I wanted to. HuskyTHON wasn’t just an event; it was a reminder that we are all capable of lifting each other up, even when life feels heavy. It taught me that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room, it’s about listening, trusting and believing in the people beside you.
By senior year, serving as vice president of communications, the experience felt completely different. I wasn’t just participating anymore, I was helping build the experience for others. I worked closely with people whose passion and creativity blew me away. I got to share the stories of our Miracle Children — stories of resilience, strength and hope that changed my understanding of what real courage looks like.
But what impacted me most wasn’t just the cause — it was the people. It was the dancers who showed up to our events simply excited to be there. It was my teammates, who stood beside me as we watched our hard work turn into miracles. And it was the entire community, coming together for something so much bigger than ourselves: to support the kids and families who need us most.
Those moments reminded me that strength isn’t something you find alone, it’s something you build with others. Every late night, every early morning, and every small act of kindness added up to something bigger than any of us could have created on our own.
When we stood in the field house this year and revealed that we had raised over $2 million for the first time in 26 years, it felt like more than just a number. It felt like a lifetime of moments, connections, and lessons about resilience, gratitude and love.
Now, as I prepare to continue my education and pursue my master’s in biomedical science at Rutgers University, I know I’m not leaving these lessons behind. HuskyTHON taught me who I want to be — someone who shows up, believes in others and knows that even small actions can create incredible change.
HuskyTHON wasn’t just an event I participated in. It was a family that shaped me, a community that showed me the best of what people can be and an experience that I’ll carry with me for the for the rest of my life.