Food service workers share their hospitality experience during THON 2025

THON is in full swing, and with that comes hungry volunteers, families and spectators. Volunteers in neon pink and rainbow tie dye THON shirts, representing the THON Hospitality Committee and First Year Committee, work the counters to ensure the Bryce Jordan Center attendees are well taken care of.

Isabella Mackey is a part of Delta Zeta and Sigma Pi, Trilogy and Phi Sigma Kappa and the THON Hospitality Committee, working the Bryce Jordan Center “House of Hoagies” stand during THON.

“You get assigned to a few different groups, portals and kiosks. You learn from the people who work for the Bryce Jordan Center and just fill those roles for them,” Mackey, a first-year studying broadcast journalism, said.

Mackey said she participates in the stands with her other organizations when she’s not on shift.

“(THON) raises money for a great cause, and it also builds a sense of community and hope, and hoping for one day to dance for a cure,” she said.

Luke Mei works the counter at an Auntie Anne’s stand and is part of the First Year Committees.

“It’s an experience,” Mei, a first-year studying finance and accounting, said.

Mei said the food stands and time slots are randomly assigned, and he sticks with his assigned counter for the duration of his shift.

He said he thinks THON is “impactful.”

AnnaBella Spagnoletti is also a part of the First Year Committees, and she works at the Penn State Berkey Creamery stand.

Spagnoletti, a first-year in the division of undergraduate studies, applied early in the year to be assigned a stand and list of shifts.

“First Year Committee is everywhere,” Spagnoletti said. “First we were on upper bowl, then we were on the floor, and now we’re doing hospitality shifts. We’re helping out wherever, and we get cute rainbow shirts.”

Spagnoletti said it’s all hands on deck because it’s going to a great cause.

“I joined for a sense of community, and I think I’ve definitely found that by being here,” Spagnoletti said.

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