Dear FOTO,
If you’re sitting there wondering who all these alumni are who keep talking about the “good old days” and reminding you about meetings and bake sales every Monday, honestly, fair question. But for me, FOTO was my entire college experience, and I wouldn’t trade a second of it. I literally have the tattoo to prove it on my back of the years me, my sisters (FOTO alums), and Mom (basically FOTO alum) danced in THON. Whether it was three years on the exec board, dancing in THON 2019, or serving as president, FOTO always gave back more than I ever put in. Having THON families and experiencing THON every February with them is a privilege, and the memories they’ll make in the next few weeks will last forever.
My first piece of advice, especially with the BJC filling up so soon: MAKE FRIENDS IN FOTO. Seriously. The friendships are what make the experience and magic of THON. My group chat that I talk in everyday is FOTO alums (Paxton and Kerrigan) and that started with memories made in the stands at THON. It was bullying Paxton to wear a suit for 12 hours and interview people. Pull that video up, 5/5 on Letterboxd -- real cinema. Every other weekend I travel from Philly to New York to hang out with more FOTO alums that danced for FOTO (Ravi and my lovely girlfriend Becca Tate) that became my friends from these weekends. This very weekend we have a NY trip that is all past FOTO people. My twin sister married her husband this year that she met in FOTO!
My advice is don’t just stand next to the same people you already know. Branch out. Do the overnight shift. Meet people. Talk about things that matter. Laugh until you cry. Cry from the magic of it all. It’ll make the whole thing fly by and help you forget that your feet are screaming but also help you remember the very reason you’re there in the first place. When people say FOTO is family, they mean it. That’s not just a line. Please take that seriously and carry on that tradition that made FOTO so great when I was there.
Finally, I always share this story when I’m alumni of the week, because it’s too good not to. The reason you’re gearing up for THON, the reason you’re in FOTO at all, is the kids. My favorite memories are with Logan and Matty and Megan, who is the GOAT and Queen of FOTO. Before I joined FOTO, when my older sister, Jessie was president, Logan was going through chemo. You see him now tatted up (choices were made there huh) and heading to college and forget how hard things once were for him. On his last day of chemo, when he officially beat cancer, he cried and asked Tiff, “Does this mean I won’t get to see FOTO anymore because I don’t have cancer?” In one of the hardest moments of his life, he was worried about not seeing you guys, the people that will fill those stands. When someone asks why you THON, why you’re in FOTO, think of that. Think of how much you all matter to these families and your impact on then.
And when Matty was in treatment while I was in FOTO, I remember being in the Trammels’ basement to absolute chaos. Toys everywhere, yelling, nerf bullets flying. In the middle of it all, Matty just said “hold on,” walked to the bathroom, threw up, washed his hands, and came right back to play. That moment hit me. No matter what stress I had in college, that little kid was fighting cancer with a smile. The strength of these families is unreal. Remember that when you’re tired during THON, when your feet hurt, when you’re having a rough day, their bravery is the heartbeat of everything we do.
THON is emotional, so be ready for one of the best weekends of your life. Six (wow) years ago, when the total went up, I cried my eyes out. All the work, all the long nights, all the fundraising, it all hits you at once. You should feel something. Pride. Joy. Purpose. So, make friends. Laugh and cry with FOTO. Love the families. Soak in every second of these four years. I miss it every day, but I’m so grateful I walked away with friends and family for life. You’re all carrying forward a tradition and legacy that means the world to me. Good luck, I’m proud of you, and go crush it!!
