For me my FOTO experience and my Penn State experience are one in the same. What I mean by that is that if you asked me to describe my four years at PSU without mentioning FOTO I literally could not do that. FOTO gave me something that I didn't even know I was looking for -- a family. FOTO introduced me to some of the greatest people I've ever met and helped me make friendships that I know will last forever.

RJ Charno Class of 2019

I joined FOTO my junior year and spent 2 years on the Executive Board, it was the best decision I’ve made. I instantly knew I was going to stay because of the one hot girl on the Executive Board. However, the more I got involved the more I fell in love with FOTO and THON. I met the 3 best THON families out there and made lifelong friends. Oh yea and that hot girl on the Executive Board, she’s now my wife and we are having a FOTO baby. My FOTO experience has given me a family and some of the best years of my life.

Matt Palantino Class of 2017

FOTO is a close-knit group of friends who become family. Big enough to put up big numbers, but small enough to know everyone.

James Archambo Class of 2015

Go to as many FOTO events as you can and MEET OUR FAMILIES. You get out of FOTO what you put in. The more you come around, the more people you'll become close with and the more chances you'll have to make an impact with THON and our families. Apply to be an officer, go to a bake sale (or all of them), visit our families, take every opportunity that is offered! Also have you seen how cute our kids are?

Olivia Body Class of 2019

My FOTO experience has been everything to me. It’s given me some of my best friends as well as three of the greatest, strongest and most beautiful heroes. FOTO has helped me grow as a person and see the very best that life has to offer. This organization and these people can become your family if you really let it and want it to. It really is something great and special to be a part of, so try it out and see if FOTO changes your life, just like it changed mine. 

Jacquelyn Ficco Class of 2019

Everyone in FOTO is dedicated to helping to raise money and to be there for our families. I was immediately impressed by the effort almost every person put forth, and that made me want to match that effort. As a naturally shy person, I was hesitant to get out of my comfort zone when I came to Penn State––but as soon I joined FOTO, I felt as if I had been accepted into a family. It is full of people who want to make the world a better place. 

Noah Heimbaugh Class of 2021

Throughout my time at Penn State, FOTO was always home. I knew early on that this organization was unique in its ability to foster such genuine, authentic relationships with each other and with our three perfect THON families. FOTO means that I am able, even as an alumni, to be a part of something bigger than myself. It's a forever thing!!!!! 

Becca Tate Class of 2018

My favorite FOTO memories are always at THON when they show all of the THON children that have survived cancer. It’s so cool to see how a lot of them end up dreaming of attending Penn State, and many of them actually even do it! These kids end up wanting to become cancer research doctors, surgeons, police officers, or just anything that they can do to help others. That’s what makes THON and FOTO so great. When we change the lives of the children and families, they go on to do the same for someone else. It truly shows that what we are doing is making a real, positive change on the world.

Pat Kilker Class of 2021