Inside the Campus Center Plaza on Tuesday April 29, the CSI community kicked off the second day of Spirit Week with a celebration at the “United We Celebrate” Spring Festival.

Students and staff came together and enjoyed the day, which couldn’t have had better weather, and a long list of stations and activities that the event had to offer. Across the plaza, students got to climb “Klime Walls,” experience a bungee jump, or leap across the Wipeout Big Balls like in the television game show. Food trucks also gathered long lines with a selection of foods from John’s Catering and a Lickety Split ice cream truck.

The crowd during the festival also gathered on the grass outside of the Campus Center entrance where tables and seats were set up for anyone who needed a breather or was looking for a place to eat or talk. Across from that seating area in the plaza, the event also had some extremely interesting games like a Giant Pool Table and Human Bowling. Students placed themselves inside of a human-hamster ball and rolled themselves down an inflatable lane where they barreled into inflatable pins.

Kasey Mcanuff, a student who’s been to recent festivals, said he’s tried activities like the bungee jump but he was more interested in Human Bowling at this event. He also pointed out why this event is good for boosting morale on campus.

“Learning how to adapt to my environment and learning how to roll and trust the moment was a workout and a process, and honestly that was the fun part,” he said. “With finals coming up, this is just a great way to relax and boost morale, it’s also a way to get up, stretch out, and move your legs and stay active.”

For those who have been working non-stop all semester and are looking to relax during the festival before taking on finals, you might not be as interested in playing too many games and are just looking to eat or sit.  

Emily Albano, a master’s student, and Karina Toska who is in a Pre-Med program, both recognize the socialization that happens at this event that is always important on such a large campus with so many people to meet.

“It’s nice to see and interact with so many different people because within your class, you only see so many and the campus is filled with so many other students to meet and talk to,” said Albano.

“I agree, the socialization and the fact that you can come to an event like this to destress after doing work, eating with friends, with games, and so many things to do, it’s a nice thing the College does for us,” Toska noted.

After she had arrived at the fair, Ashley Villalva, the current Vice President of Student Government, expressed her excitement from seeing the event doing so well and the CSI community showing up.

“Student Government always goes above and beyond, and we make sure to bring out all the good stuff like ice cream, empanadas, a Red Bull truck,” she said. “It’s a very nice community here and we’re going to continue to grow our community. Hopefully, we get to have more events like this where people get to come engage and interact.”

The “United We Celebrate” Spring Festival was a great opportunity for students to give themselves a break from classes and enjoy the beautiful weather. Students are preparing for their finals coming up around this time of the year and it’s important to not overwork yourself. Instead, you can go to events like this one during Spirit Week and grab a bite, see an old friend, or make some new ones.

By Kyle Cicero