The Axel: For this week’s story, I would like to do a story on how THON is making a comeback after not being able to have an in-person THON weekend and normal fundraising activities due to COVID-19.
The Riders: The best people for this story would be Penn State students on THON committees such as dancer relations, finance, entertainment special events, and fundraising committees. Everyone on these committees is very involved with THON and has seen how COVID affected THON last year, fundraising wise and just the overall experience and atmosphere THON had before COVID hit. The Hospitality Director would also be a great person for this story because they couldn’t set up a “normal” THON in the Bryce Jordan Center with thousands of people, dancers, and performers. Another interesting person for this story could be a family of a THON child because they were unable to attend THON last year and had to attend virtually which was obviously a very different experience.
The Spokes: This story could have endless shots. I would have pictures and a video of THON from previous years with a packed stadium, people dancing, singing, and hugging, and then have a clip of everyone via ZOOM last year. I could also get a clip of the 5k race that just happened on October 10 with people running and crowding around to raise money for THON. Obviously last year a fundraiser like that couldn’t take place so that could be a great shot for this story to show how THON is recovering from COVID.
The Rim:
Beginning: For the beginning, I would like to show footage and an interview of how COVID affected THON the past two years, financially, and in general with the “THON” experience in person and the empowering and inspiring atmosphere THON displays. Also, how the preparation was different because they did not have to set up the Bryce Jordan Center or have to do many in-person events.
Middle: For the middle, I would like to incorporate an interview about how THON is already changing this year. Restrictions have lifted and things are starting to look up, I want to show how THON is getting back on track. Showing a video of the 5k race could be a great way to show how THON is recovering because it shows people gathering around again to support the THON community. I could also get an interview from someone on a committee talking about how things are improving. For example, one of my friends is on a committee and told me that they are already reaching out to celebrities about performing in person for this year’s THON. That is very hopeful!
End: For the ending, I would like to just show a video of THON during “normal times” and students hugging their THON children and shedding tears during the emotional weekend. I think this will wrap up the story perfectly and give hope to people that COVID can not take THON away from us and will show how incredible and impactful this weekend really is.