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Goldfish, Bingo, and Pie...Oh My!

November 19, 2008

My third semester was filled with more adventures than a full-class schedule could have predicted. I attended two main stage student productions at the Annie Russell Theatre, went to the Global Peace Film Festival, witnessed several of my friends humiliate themselves in two hypnotist shows, listened to the stories of Iraq War veterans, participated in presidential debate viewing parties, watched my friend participate in a Music at Midnight performance, laughed at a SAK Comedy Lab troupe show, and proudly clapped as my roommate performed in the Choral Ensemble Recital.

When I wasn’t educating my musical palette or watching student films, I was most likely hanging in the background of an ACE event. With my two roommates being on the Executive Board for ACE (All Campus Events), I had no excuse for missing an event. Besides, what’s not to like about free food, free concerts, and free stuff? Since this semester began, I have accumulated a free goldfish and fish tank, a customized road sign, a caricature, and a beautifully carved pumpkin as well as enjoyed two band performances, a mock Olympic game competition, a cookie decorating session, and all the free bagels, coffee, and cookies my heart desired.

From R-Journal

Photo: This was the caricature that my roommates and I had drawn of us at an ACE Event this semester.

However, the pleasure of this semester was about more than just the personal gratification. As every “global citizen” knows, great joy comes in helping others. Perhaps, that is why I found myself joining my Rollins peers in such community service events as Halloween Howl and Bingo Night at a local nursing home.

An annual event hosted by the Rollins’ Office of Community Engagement, Halloween Howl is put on for local Winter Park children and features booths run by various student organizations. During this festive celebration, I found myself at the “Phi Eta Sigma Goldfish Toss.” Although we didn’t actually allow kids to throw the fish, I did spend an hour scooping these slimy creatures from a giant bucket, an experience which I could easily add to my resume should I ever apply for a job at Petsmart.

“Bingo Night” was even more of an adventure. After arriving at Depugh Nursing Home, our Rollins ensemble set up shop in the dining area, recruited a mob of eager bingo players, and began calling out numbers. It wasn’t long before a raspy voice confidently announced, “Bingo!” This statement set off a wave of boos and heavy sighs throughout the room as all participants cleared their cards and prepared for another round. Truthfully, the highlight of my bingo adventure was when a white-haired man with furrowed brows hollered at me for pausing too often when I called out the numbers. Although he may have born the identity of an overly competitive grumpy old man, it was easy to see that he was just a lonely figure looking for some spice in his life and that winning a game of bingo would have afforded him a bit of joy.

As fantastic as all of these memories are, there is one that stands out beyond all others. For the past two months, I had the privilege of working with a group of student leaders who were determined to make our Rollins community as politically active as possible. Together we formed “WTF Rollins- We Tackle the Future at Rollins,” and together we set to work mobilizing our campus. College Democrats President, Yoni Binstock, set up non-partisan debate watching parties, organized voter registration drives, and secured student transportation to the polls on Election Day. Rob Moore, president of the Rollins Debate Club, organized a student-run debate highlighting the stances of both presidential candidates while Francesca Mastrangelo, founder of Voices for Women, led an early-voting march to the polls.

Lastly, I was in charge of planning an after-poll election celebration on Mills Lawn. An event for which Marissa Germain, our student government president, secured over $1,000 in funding.

From R-Journal

Photo: Here I am with my roommate Libby and the Mears transportation team, who waited on the outskirts of Mills Lawn to take students to the polls on Election Day.

The big celebration was called “Uncle Sam’s After-poll Party,” and it took place from 8 p.m.- 12 a.m. on Mills Lawn on Election Day. The night was filled with entertainment, featuring performances by Rollins’ step team, The Thought Doctors, singer/guitarist Aaron Childree, and Palin and Biden impersonators. Guests were entertained by the charismatic emcees of the night, Tyler Cloutier and Jesse Hugo, as they invited guests to compete in a potato sack race and an apple pie eating contest and rewarded them with Starbucks and Pita Pit gift certificates.

On top of all the games, music, and prizes, party goers also chomped down on hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob, apple pie, ice cream, popcorn, snow cones, and cotton candy while watching the poll results come in on a projector screen.

From R-Journal

Photo: Here I am with my friend Aaron Childree and my two roommates, Katie and Libby, as we celebrate democracy at the Uncle Sam's After-poll Party. (Check out the awesome "WTF Rollins" that Kelly McNoldy designed!)

Before the party ended, our team of student leaders who helped organize the event approached the stage. Allison Arof, Yoni Binstock, Kelly McNoldy, Ellease Bender, Francesca Mastrangelo, Widdi Jean, and I mentioned our gratitude to those organizations that contributed to the party and helped make it the success that it was. A special thank you was given to Meredith Hein, our staff advisor, who assisted us in every aspect of the planning, for it was her guidance and patience that allowed this event to be incredible as it was. With over four hundred guests in attendance, including President Duncan, our November 4th celebration was quite the success and a party not to be forgotten.

All in all, this semester was filled with more adventures, achievements, and genuinely awesome moments than I ever could have predicted on my drive to Rollins three months ago. It has been an experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world, and I am truly grateful for all those who were a part of it. Although I must admit that I honestly can’t wait to drive home, carve the Thanksgiving turkey with my family, and hold my beautiful puppy, Sofie, in my arms again.

For more pictures and information on WTF Rollins and the Uncle Sam's After-poll Party, check out http://news.rollins.edu/post_1.shtml.

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