BYUHSA said they ordered 72 full pizzas for Karaoke and games at The Hub which took place on Dec. 14. All students interviewed admitted they initially came for the free food, but ended up staying for much of the event.
Constance Flake, a junior ICS major from Washington, D.C., said, “I just like that they have events here and I can come and hang out with people I like.”
She said she played pool, air hockey and bowling. She said the secret to knocking the pins down in bowling is to point your thumb in the direction you want the ball to go. Of the karaoke, Flake said, “I think it’s fun to let loose and not care about what people think about you.”
The Hub was full all night with students at every bowling lane, pool table, Ping-Pong table and game controller. Music played on one side of The Hub while students jammed to Karaoke on the other. Attendees at the event collectively sang Moana’s theme song when it was played, but no students complained about the noise.
Jeremy De Guzman, a senior from Texas studying EXS, said even though he likes to sing he felt too shy to sing any karaoke. He admitted the only reason he came was for the free food. “Sorry, I have to be honest.” Just like many other students, De Guzman ended up staying at the party and playing games with his friends. “I like pool and bowling because you can play with more than one person and you can interact with everyone you’re playing with.”
Nasanbold Sukhbaatar, a senior HTM major from Mongolia, came to do service for his Mongolian student association. He said he was shocked the pizza was gone half way through the activity, despite there being so many boxes. Other than pizza, Sukhbaatar said, “Karaoke is my favorite thing.” He said the Karaoke done at The Hub was new to him because back at home Karaoke is not generally public. It’s something you rent a room for.
The activity was organized in an attempt to be a break from the usual school activities, said Quayd Ah yo, a freshman business management major and BYUHSA student events specialist. He said, “Since we always do dances, we wanted something where people could relax and just chill.” That is why they organized for free games and karaoke. “At our hub event, [students] can have free games and Karaoke. They can just relax and not have to stand up, dance and work a sweat.”
Ah yo said he felt like students were reacting to the activity well, especially the Karaoke. “I think everybody is just being themselves and not worried about whether they are good at singing or not. Everyone is just relaxed.”
Writer: Kelsy Simmons