2008 Woodie Awards
Students stay sober, learn about Hispanic culture
By: Frank Eslinger
Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Eager students let the rhythm and beat flow Friday in the Towers Residence Hall lobby as a part of "Salsa Side."
The "Sober in October" event had participants learning some basic Salsa dance steps while staying sober for the evening.
"It was a unique and new experience," said Livonia sophomore Rebecca Garbutt.
Garbutt is the treasurer for the Residence Hall Assembly.
"It's really important that the opportunities for these programs are available," she said. "It's important that people know there's more to do than just going out."
Cobb Hall residents and members of fraternity Sigma Lambda Beta organized the program. Alcohol-free margaritas, cocktails and Jell-O shots were on sale and a disc jockey from Sigma Lambda Beta provided tunes for the event.
The students learned a variety of steps from varying Salsa dance styles. Set to lively Latin dance tunes, the program was just as much about having fun as it was educational about Hispanic culture.
Southfield senior Christopher Maxwell, a member of Sigma Lambda Beta, participated in the free dance lessons.
"This is definitely fun for people to see other people's culture," he said. "I love seeing people smiling and laughing. It's a good feeling. They learned something cool that they didn't know before."
Maxwell said the event was a good idea.
"Kids can come down and have fun without going out and drinking," he said. "You can have just as much fun without alcohol."
Allendale sophomore Jonathan Becksvoort is an RHA representative from Carey Hall.
He said the event was important and was a good way to have fun and be safe.
"I had a lot of fun, and I'm usually not the kind of guy that feels the jive," Becksvoort said.
Grand Rapids junior Elizabeth Harpold, a Cobb Hall representative for the RHA, said she helps put on the event because she likes to spread awareness to the students on campus.
"We put on this event because we like 'Sober In October' and doing things for the RHA," she said.
news@cm-life.com
The "Sober in October" event had participants learning some basic Salsa dance steps while staying sober for the evening.
"It was a unique and new experience," said Livonia sophomore Rebecca Garbutt.
Garbutt is the treasurer for the Residence Hall Assembly.
"It's really important that the opportunities for these programs are available," she said. "It's important that people know there's more to do than just going out."
Cobb Hall residents and members of fraternity Sigma Lambda Beta organized the program. Alcohol-free margaritas, cocktails and Jell-O shots were on sale and a disc jockey from Sigma Lambda Beta provided tunes for the event.
The students learned a variety of steps from varying Salsa dance styles. Set to lively Latin dance tunes, the program was just as much about having fun as it was educational about Hispanic culture.
Southfield senior Christopher Maxwell, a member of Sigma Lambda Beta, participated in the free dance lessons.
"This is definitely fun for people to see other people's culture," he said. "I love seeing people smiling and laughing. It's a good feeling. They learned something cool that they didn't know before."
Maxwell said the event was a good idea.
"Kids can come down and have fun without going out and drinking," he said. "You can have just as much fun without alcohol."
Allendale sophomore Jonathan Becksvoort is an RHA representative from Carey Hall.
He said the event was important and was a good way to have fun and be safe.
"I had a lot of fun, and I'm usually not the kind of guy that feels the jive," Becksvoort said.
Grand Rapids junior Elizabeth Harpold, a Cobb Hall representative for the RHA, said she helps put on the event because she likes to spread awareness to the students on campus.
"We put on this event because we like 'Sober In October' and doing things for the RHA," she said.
news@cm-life.com
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