FTK!

It is no surprise that Penn State's perseverance shines through THON. Annually, the Penn State community (including all branches) come together to raise money during both semesters up until about the second week of February. After that, it is time to dedicate fourty-eight hours to our idols: the kids. Penn State is well-known for its triumphs after a downfall. I think that this past weekend (February 17th 2012) was the example of the utmost incident in which we should pride ourselves on after the Penn State community was hit with the Sandusky scandal and the public opinion that followed.

That scandal definitely affected our spirits and organizations' canning experiences. In other words, PSU was not so popular in the public's opinion. The Overall THON Chairs had to keep their spirits high because organizations such as mine looked up to them. We also had to face another set-back: a freshman dying during the second canning trip. This forced all organizations to attend mandatory canning-workshops. If members in that organization did not go, they would be forbidden to go canning. This was to ensure safety canning measures but it had an effect on the overall attendance of people canning each weekend. I know it affected my THON committee. Another set-back was the cancelation of the third canning weekend. Many sponsors pulled out, and so did some applicants. I am THON Chair of the Black Student Union and I know all of these factors put a dent in our total.

As THON weekend approached, I was actually fearful that 2012's overall THON total would decrease. But the very moment I stepped my foot into the BJC I noticed PSU's dedication. I felt our spirit as a school and automatically felt connected. We motivated one another; to not sit, to not feel tired, to not fail one another. It was then that I realized that through PSU's downfall, we were able to triumph. The simple things give Penn State joy I.e a child's smile, their funny dances, a family's story, and so much more. We are a very humble University. There were over a 100,000 spectators, over a dozen performances, a couple dozen families, over a hundred dancers, yet one Bryce Jordan Center. We are in our Daily Collegian, all over the news, on facebook, on twitter and for the first time in months, the world saw "us" as the true Penn Staters we have always been; pioneers through our struggles. Then I think, over $10.6 million big ones, yet only one school that could produce such results. WE ARE...you know the rest.

"Your Love is My Love, My Love is Your Love"

The song, "My Love is Your Love" by Whitney Houston is the song played every year for THON during THON weekend. This song among many others has contributed to Whitney Houston's impact in the music industry, on her fans, and within her family. Whitney Houston is a legend. People like Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, and so many more celebrities idolize her. Those in her community knew her for her ambition and dedication to her music. She was noted for her hospitality, and for those who were not her friend but had the pleasure of meeting her said they felt the friendly connection.

I cannot say that I met her, but I can say that the artists I look up to were influenced by Whitney. She is the only artist to ever hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 seven times in a row. Houston is not only remembered as a music artist but also an actress, model, and producer. Many did not know, but she produced the Disney Channel movie "Cheetah Girls". She is amazing, from having Best Album of the Year in 1986 to being listed number 254 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Again, Whitney Houston is incomparably exceptional. I could go on for hours listing statistics and all of her greatest hits and awards; but the one I want to end off with is that in 2009, the Guinness World Records named her the most-awarded female act of all time.

Aside from her materialistic accomplishments, Whitney has a beautiful daughter. And when she left this world just days ago, she left her daughter at eighteen. Raising a daughter was probably her greatest accomplishment because; although Houston had a reputation on drug and substance abuse, she raised her daughter to be better. It is a shame she was a victim of drugs and physical and emotional abuse from previous relationships; but it is even more a shame that she died so young at 48. As much as it saddens the world, Whitney has impacted individuals in ways she probably still does not know.

http://youtu.be/bgIwIITrHGc

This video is just an example of the hearts Whitney Houston touched; and when I perform this THON weekend, I am sure we will all feel her in spirit as we sing the everlasting theme song, "My Love is Your Love".

Who taught you to HATE yourself?

I am guessing, but more or so hoping, everyone knows who this is; the lovely Christina Aguilera. She is known as one of the best singers vocally in the world: her records always hitting and topping the charts and selling tens of millions of records. She has won multiple Grammy Awards, and even a few Latin Grammy Awards. More importantly, she has been praised for her natural beauty and physique.

It is no surprise that she is one of the judges on a famous TV show, "The Voice". But take a look at this picture. Something jumps right out because it did the moment I saw the picture. SHE GAINED SO MUCH WEIGHT! This is certainly not the Christina from the "Genie in a Bottle" days(one of her big hits). It is sad because it was brought to my attention from my friend; and then I look on the Internet and there is controversy about it there as well.

I want to take a moment to say that she is still gorgeous. I have to ask why is there so much controversy about weight, and why is there so much pressure on those who are famous? If they are happy, why must "we" jump in and interfere to say they should not be? The thing is, we read books, provocative magazines, watch tv, and make sure we pay close attention to celebrities and models. But why isn't it okay to be average, to be normal? We think that we are forced to look like them or take on their practices so that maybe we can be loved and appreciated as much as they are. So, who REALLY taught us to hate ourselves: the celebrities and the media for portraying that image, or "us" for accepting them and adopting them? It pisses me off because Christina Aguilera is one of my idols. She is a beautiful being from her looks, to her personality, to her performances, to her family. For there to be so much attention paid on her weight gain, instead of her accomplishments, is utterly embarrassing to the human race I believe. So how do we fix it?

What President has ever done this...

http://youtu.be/eeTj5qMGTAI

I first stumbled across this video on facebook. My friend commented on it and shared it to his page. I wanted to take a look at it because I am sooo in to Politics. Although this video is really long, you don't have to watch the whole thing to understand his message and even feel the way I feel.

People from all over the world watched Obama's 2012 State of the Union Address. Many wanted to address, furthermore, personal issues that they are currently dealing with and even their effects futuristically. So these people decided to come together to start a Google+ Hangout on the White house's channel on You Tube to delegate the things they want to change. Their issues range from unemployment, to concerns on the downfall of their small businesses, to the increasing of minimum wage, to a plan on helping pay back student loans. And guess what; he listened! He sat down, through video chat, and spoke to numerous individuals live. He commended them on their hard work and drive through these economic hardships. He showed his compassion and interest in sincerely helping them.

I saw this video and first thought "This is toooo coool"! What other President has done this? What president has taken the time out of their busy schedule to just listen to the problems of "the average American"? I mean usually those running are only worried about their election and getting votes. But I believe that Obama went above and beyond a tactic to "just get votes". And I think he did it without even noticing. Obama is so down to earth from his practices, to his family, to the events he attends, to the speeches he makes, to this video right here. I don't know about you but I am proud to say I will vote for him again, and I am not afraid to say that he has NO competition; no one who can fulfill his position, and no one who can effectively gain the trust of people all over the world like he did.I think that even if he is not elected President for this upcoming term, he will keep involved in civic engagement and serve his community. What other President, can you say, would do this?