Students stay ‘Up All Night’ on campus

Gaylord freshman Nelson Gast prepares to go the the inflatable game called “Wrecking Ball.” The game is the only one in the state and students played it during CMU’s annual Up All Night put on by Student Life Saturday night in the Student Activity Center. (Chuck Miller/Staff Photographer)

Laser tag, glow in the dark putt-putt golf, poker and prizes kept students up all night for the fifth year in a row.

Celebrating the halfway point in the academic semester, Up All Night offered a multitude of events that served as an alternative to bar-scenes and house parties Saturday night in the Student Activity Center.

Committee members and volunteers worked until the last minute, making sure everything was perfect for the night.

“We had to make sure everything was coordinated,” Up All Night committee member and Flushing senior Emily Baker said. “We wanted to be prepared for the unexpected.”

Baker explained she had been a part of the planning process since the start and supported the event completely.

“It is not just about this being a dry event, but more about keeping students involved,” Baker said. “It is a way to give back to the students, which is what we really want to do.”

Not only were the students participating in the fun, they were also volunteering. Student volunteers ran activities and helped serve food throughout the event.

Ariel Graber found her volunteering opportunity at the Up All Night event to be fun and meaningful.

“I think it is important to hold drug-free and alcohol-free events because it gives students an opportunity to do other things on the weekend besides going out and drinking,” the Milan junior said.

Graber was kept busy, like the other volunteers, working behind the scenes and keeping the event running smoothly.

The event offered something for almost every student’s taste including food, music, video games and even a performance by the Fish N’ Chips a cappella group.

On the downstairs basketball courts, students lined up to race and bounce around the inflatables, and Up All Night also offered laser tag and glow in the dark putt-putt.

For those who did not want to run around, there was a casino featuring games such as blackjack and poker. Students were able to trade chips in for chances to win prizes, including a spa package and various gift cards.

The event was attended by a diverse group of students, each able to partake in activities they enjoyed.

“I really liked the Fish N’ Chips performance,” Metamora sophomore Samantha Zielinski said. “That was my favorite part.”

Zielinski, like many other CMU students, attended the event with a group of friends and spent the night bouncing from one activity to another.

“Events like this are fun,” Alpena freshman Abbigail Krawczak said. “They show people that you do not need to drink to have a good time.”