Youngstown State University student gains national recognition for viral video
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“We had the best time:” YSU student gains national recognition for viral video
Brooke Courtney is a junior from Hanoverton who is currently majoring in early childhood education at YSU. She returned to campus after the holidays with a newfound, unexpected fame after her family TikTok video went viral.
Courtney and her six family members, both siblings and cousins, surprised their grandparents with an impromptu slumber party after learning about the trend on TikTok.
Courtney said she was out Black Friday shopping with her mom when she showed her the trend, to which her mom suggested that she gather everyone together and surprise her grandparents in the same way.
“Six out of the seven of us are in college, and so it can be hard to get everyone together at the same time,” Courtney said. “We all grew up living close to each other and our grandparents, so we used to do this kind of thing all the time.”
That night, the siblings and cousins spent their time playing games, sharing food, and appreciating the time they had with each other before returning to school after break. In her video, Courtney’s grandmother, whom the family affectionately refers to as Nana can be heard saying, “This is the best Christmas gift ever!” as the family files in and settles in for their night of fun.
Courtney explained though she initially proposed the idea of the sleepover, it was actually her cousin, Tori that posted the TikTok which has garnered more than 8.5M likes.
“We couldn’t believe it got as popular as it did!” she exclaimed. Surrounding the buzz, she and her family were invited to interview on national television, gaining attention from People, Today with Hoda and Jenna and Fox News.
In the meantime, Courtney says “no one is trying to get famous” but they hope to continue creating content with their grandparents to show more of their family game nights and to spend as much time together as they can in between their busy schedules.
Mercy Health respiratory therapist receives award
Robin Pope is a respiratory therapist at Mercy Health — St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.
Pope recently received the Spirit of the Mission award for her years of service at Mercy Health.
Her peers said she always puts the department needs first and foremost, as well as mentoring new hires.
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