In its first-ever performance for Culture Night, members of the BYUH Gamers Club dressed as different video game characters, like Mario, Pikachu, and Link, and danced to “Jump Up, Superstar!” the theme song for the video game “Super Mario Odyssey.”
While the others danced together around him, Riley Hand, a freshman from Florida majoring in computer science, took center stage as Mario and bopped along solo to the beat of the song.
Jordan Donaldson, a senior from Arizona majoring in communications, said seeing Gamers Club perform in Culture Night was a dream come true because he wanted them to do a performance when he was in the presidency a few years ago.
“It always bothered me that the only other clubs [that performed] besides ethnic cultures was stuff like ballroom dancing. There’s always been this arbitrary glass ceiling around Culture Night, and I was happy to see Gamers Club decide to break that. I think it was a way of saying, ‘Gamers have a culture too.’”
Donaldson said culture is all about identity, which is deeper than a geographical location or ethnicity. “People around the world now are able to have a sense of community through different mediums. I think Gamers Club is all about bringing people together who love games. They can have fun and make friends regardless of race or gender.”
Killian Grawe, a freshman from Texas majoring in political science, performed with the club. She said, “It’s kind of unorthodox to think, ‘Oh, gamers, you have a culture too? That’s weird.’”
To Grawe, gamer culture is unique. She said, “If you wanted to play into stereotypes, it’s Mountain Dew and Doritos. I feel like gamers, whenever you start mentioning a specific game that someone else plays, you get this instant connection because you know what each other is talking about.”
In the intro video played before its performance, Club President Kristen Conrad, a senior majoring in English from Washington, said, “Our club’s mission statement is… for everyone to have a good time, play games, and take a break. We hope that through our club, students will be able to make and strengthen friendships, develop skills such as teamwork, negotiation, and problem-solving.
“Whether you are an avid gamer or you just like to have fun every once in a while, there is something for everyone. I think the most important thing that I wish for people to understand about our culture is that there is a place for everyone.”
Jackson Tilo, a Laie local who is studying computer science at Clover Park Technical College, said he was not expecting a performance from the club. “I’m a huge gamer. So when they had their opening number as Super Smash Bros., it caught my attention. The song they chose was perfect. It was cute, simple, and everything was pulled together very well.”
Maddie Grames, a sophomore from California majoring in peacebuilding, called the performance refreshing. “It was a nice change of pace in the midst of all the other cultural performances.”
Tilo concluded, “I tip my hat to The BYUH Gamers for their time and dedication. As a former club member, their performance has made us all proud.”
Writer: Emi Wainwright