First impressions can typically come as a struggle, especially during the transition into a college as big as Penn State. Suddenly, you’re a little fish in a big sea of people who don’t know the kind of person that you were before coming to college. The big lecture halls and workload can be intimidating to new students. Sarah Hohman, however, was not the typical freshman when she moved from Mansfield, Pa. to Simmons Hall earlier this fall.
Photo by Jordan Pietrafitta
Hohman made a strong impact well before she even got to Penn State. In high school, she was the president of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) society for the entire state of Pennsylvania. She led different workshops and conferences for members of the national society, promoted business education and attended events as the Pennsylvania FBLA representative. She had the opportunity to travel to places like California, Chicago and Atlanta to meet other representatives at seminars.
Hohman did not stop there. She was also on a youth leadership council for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). The initiative of the NRECA is designed to increase skills and knowledge of the electric cooperative industry focusing on the business aspects. One person from every state was selected to travel to places like San Diego and Washington D.C. to promote and pitch rural electricity. This productivity and determination provided Hohman with the leadership skills that she would soon need when she was accepted to the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State.
Hohman had already begun to make a name for herself when she achieved the prestigious acceptance into one of the most renowned honors colleges in the country. She is currently majoring in health policy administration, and she hopes to advocate for a drug policy reform.
Photo by Jordan Pietrafitta
“My dream job is to work on Capitol Hill and focus on the administrative aspects of health policy,” Hohman says. “Addiction is a problem in the United States that affects everyone to some degree, and I want to change the conversation about it in society.”
Her résumé just keeps growing as the freshman adds to her previous accomplishments with her Penn State experiences. Hohman is a part of the Penn State Eco Reps, a group of students who aim to spark a change in the culture of sustainability and recycling at Penn State. They create activities for the student body throughout the year that are both fun and informative about the mission of the Eco Reps.
Hohman has received remarkable opportunities because of her hard work. One of these opportunities was being selected to go on one of eight trips through Penn State’s Alternative Breaks Program during spring break of 2018. She traveled to Detroit, Mich. to work on projects concerning urban poverty and food insecurity. While there, she and a team of students worked on urban farms and served meals to the homeless residents of Detroit. They also paired with a non-profit organization called Arts and Scraps to prepare art kits for children in inner-city communities. This project was a selfless and generous act that truly exemplified Hohman’s amazing values and work ethic.
Hohman says that it was an extremely impactful experience that she will never forget. “Going to Detroit really opened my eyes and confirmed my want to do good within a community,” she says.
As if she weren’t already involved enough, Hohman was also quick to apply for a THON committee at Penn State when the opportunity arose. She was accepted onto the communications committee for education outreach, and soon learned all of the ins and outs of THON while becoming close friends with her fellow committee members.
Hohman’s job within the committee was to create fun activities for the dancers to play during the grueling 46 hours. Her creativity and happiness shined through all of her work, and she was a beacon of motivation throughout the weekend to those in her committee.
Photo by Jordan Pietrafitta
Kaitlyn Johnston, captain of Hohman’s committee, said that Hohman was an absolute pleasure to have on her team. “Her résumé is obviously impressive and she’s a very driven girl, but she is so much fun to be around,” says Johnston. “She constantly has a smile on her face and THON wouldn’t have been the same without her.”
Everyone who meets Hohman can see that she is a hardworking, dependable person, but there is so much more than what meets the eye. She is an outstanding friend with a great deal of ambition. Luckily, she has only just begun her journey here at Penn State.
Sarah Hohman’s name is influential, powerful and strong, and VALLEY suggests you remember it. You will most likely see it again in the future.
