Union students enjoy fall festival and costume party
On any given Saturday evening at campus, it would be shocking for anyone to see the stately figure of Lord Bridgerton in front of the main entrance to the Thunderdome. Even more surprising would be the sight of Rosie the Riveter and a rock star conversing with the mild-mannered and awkward Clark Kent over modern reporting techniques. What to many would be wild dreams came true on Oct. 29 as the Student Association (SA) welcomed students and staff to a fall festival and costume party.
Once allowed inside the Thunderdome after careful preparation by SA leaders, attendees registered for three costume competitions — a do-it-yourself (DIY) contest, a staff/faculty specific contest and a couples/group contest. Contestants were featured on stage accompanied by music as judges selected the winners.
In between the competitions, attendees ate from several tables filled with refreshments, while others rode a hayride to Engel Hall, where a “haunted house” maze was set up. They also snapped pictures together to enter an Instagram competition for a gift card.
Some contests had easier choices, while others were a little more challenging for the judges to pick a winner. The DIY prize went to Reef Peckham, a sophomore history major, who portrayed a pilot who had been through a severe accident with crutches, a sling and head bandage. The staff/faculty award was won by Howie Huntsman, professor of business, for his depiction of a classic rock star. The couples/group contest was incredibly challenging, with some of the best portrayals landing in this category. Several International Rescue and Relief (IRR) majors presented an entire entourage of medical personnel assisting victims of serious accidents. In contrast, a group consisting of Kianna Frishman, a junior social work major, and friends gave a hilarious depiction of classic characters from the “Despicable Me” movie franchise. Many other groups, including Dungeons & Dragons, President John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe and others also vied for the prize.
Attendees especially enjoyed an amazing rendition of a Michael Jackson performance by Fortune Ogulere, a freshman English major who also enjoys producing his own music. The audience went wild with applause as he danced along the stage in tune with the driving beat of “ Billie Jean.”
Even those who didn’t win loved the event, hanging out with their friends and making memories with selfies and more. SA hopes to continue to provide fun ways to interact with other students on campus, and it sounds like there will be more fun events like the fall festival coming.
By: Charles Metz