THON Weekend 2012

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Even though I had certain schedules set up with Onward State, Webcast Volunteers and COMM 469 for 2012 THON weekend, I decided to go all out and spend my entire weekend at the Bryce Jordan Certain. For all 46 hours, plus 10 hours more of no sleep, I ran around the BJC for photographs and to record live feed for the THON webcast. Since it would be my last THON weekend as a Penn State student, I didn't want to miss a minute of it. But as a photojournalist putting herself through intense conditions while still producing work, it took its toll on me and my work.
I cheated when compared to what the dancers had to endure. I had a seat at Onward State's press row and had enough Red Bull to last me the weekend. But I was just as delusional as the dancers. I will admit that the lack of sleep effected my work by making me less alert and performed slower. I still was able to give myself boosts of energy and followed the dancers' method of keeping energy by constantly moving. I learned this lesson the hard way when recording live feed for the THON Webcast Saturday at 5 a.m. where I stood working a video camera on a tripod for six hours straight. At some points, I even carried the ten pound camera on my shoulder as I recorded interviews and food being served to dancers. The amount of pain in my heels to my back was unbearable.
As my shift came for my COMM 469 class, Sunday morning at 8 a.m., I was completely delusional. I was able to photograph mail call and the memorial tribute to Courtney O'Brien that were both emotional. I don't know if it was the lack of sleep or having friends dancing on the floor, but I was just as emotional as they were. I was very honored when I was told that one of my photos from the memorium was going to be published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazzette. It was a first time that any of my work has been published in a newspaper and when the total amount was reveal at the end, my photograph became extremely popular on the internet. This was my last THON weekend as a Penn State student and I didn't want to miss a moment of it. But in professional terms, I would never put myself through that position of sleep deprivation with multiple responsibilities again.