Students Extend Mason Week to Friday

By Connect Mason Reporter Jana Barbir

This year, the Mason Week celebration did not end on Thursday.

• See photos submitted by Mason student Lina Bina Hachwi.

Students hosted a first annual After Mason Day Luau on Friday, April 25 from 6-9 p.m. with tropical-themed décor, music and events along the Mason Pond. The event offered a Hawaiian-style buffet with food such as barbecue ribs, chicken, rice and pineapple bits. Students relaxed on the lawn, played games and enjoyed the refreshments, music and nice weather.

“Why not have it end on the weekend and therefore last an entire week?” said senior Duha El-Quesny. She and six other communication students created this Friday event to increase on-campus involvement at the Fairfax campus.

"It was fun and relaxing with great food and company," said senior Michelle Gibson.

Students were encouraged to dress in brightly-colored shirts and flowered skirts to add to the tropical atmosphere. The luau featured games like tug of war, limbo and hula hoop, a dance contest and karaoke.

“I thought it was fun,” said sophomore Evan Nielson. “It was better than I thought it would be.”

Gift certificates from local restaurants were awarded to contest winners.

The seven students involved in creating the event produced flyers announcing the event, handed out leis to students in the JC and advertised through Facebook. They were pleased with the feedback of their peers.

“We definitely enjoyed ourselves and loved the turnout,” El-Quesny said.

Communication student and junior Tia Tony Gotti Hall estimated that there were about 200 people at the event. The students hope that the event will be expanded on in the future.

“I hope that we can continue this event and make it a tradition for years to come,” said Gotti Hall.