On April 23, the west side residence halls of South Yeater, Houts-Hosey, Fitzgerald and Nickerson are hosting a celebration in Selmo Park from 4 to 8 p.m. According to the official event flyer, there will be plenty of activities, such as volleyball, yard games and a full-length obstacle course. Food and refreshments will be provided, as well as a special appearance from the dogs at Old Drum Animal Shelter. This event will be free and open to the public.
While nearly every west side Community Advisor is a part of the planning process for this event, there are two who are taking the reins of organizing. Savannah Curtis-Tye, the Community Advisor for 3rd floor Fitzgerald and Madison Montgomery, the Community Advisor for 3rd floor South Yeater, are considered by many to be bringing their skills and expertise to the planning of this event.
“I’ve been coordinating things like schedules and supplies, and just making sure everyone stays communicative with each other,” said Curtis-Tye.
Through this event, the CAs involved aim to represent the principles and values of the housing staff. In particular, many events planned by Community Advisors are meant to represent at least one of the four housing core values: success, engage, embrace and develop. On the housing website, it says these values are to ensure residents are given opportunities to grow and evolve these skill sets, which can be helpful for them later in life.
“It’s the core values that we try to focus on as CAs [Community Advisors]. We’re just trying to develop our residents as better individuals and members of the community. And these programs are built around supporting that,” said Montgomery.
As stated in the housing mission statement, bridging communities together is, and has always been, a very important pillar for housing. According to South Yeater’s Residence Hall Director and graduate student, Nora Van Asten, this block party holds a meaningful resemblance to an event that occurred during her freshman year at UCM.
“MuleFest, previously known as MuleChella, was a live music festival that focused on live music. I was a part of the original group of people that planned and created MuleFest, so it’s really exciting to see what MuleFest has grown into. I love the idea that the CAs want to host an end-of-the-year party that focuses more on the activity side of it rather than having it be a live music festival,” said Van Asten.
With the school year ending soon and finals week slowly approaching, this party is designed to relieve some of the stress residents may have and allows a chance for everyone to join together and enjoy themselves.
Houts-Hosey’s Residence Hall Director, Cayden McCauley, also shares his enthusiasm for the event.
“I am excited to see the final product. All of the CAs have been working together so hard and I’m excited to see their hard work come to fruition,” said McCauley.
Flyers have been posted around the aforementioned residents’ halls with additional information, or you can reach out to Savannah Curtis-Tye at [email protected] with any further questions.
