By Katy Shenk
Student Life Editor
On Thursday, Sept. 20, students were treated to a variety of sweet snacks and a myriad of performances by their peers as part of a Student Events Board and Global Education Office partner event.
The combined Sweet Fest and International Open Mic Night was the first joint event between SEB and GEO.
“I’m so excited to partner with the [GEO] to include more unique groups on campus. It’s always fun to see new faces, new foods, and new friends,” said sophomore and SEB Director of Series Events Colin Levi.
SEB provided a number of tasty treats for the event, including Sour Patch Kids, chocolate-covered pretzels, a make- your-own-cookie station, and a cotton candy machine.
Following with the international theme, other sweet offerings included desserts from a number of different countries, including Pocky and rice cakes from Japan, Latin American chocolate pepper banderitas and tamarind ball candy, and Turkish delight.
According to the GEO Administrative Assistant Sarah Lyle, the fall open mic is a popular event and has been well attended in the past. Attendance has averaged 40 to 50 people, many of whom perform.
“The goal of the event is for participants to gain more knowledge of new artists and authors from around the world while forming new friendships around a shared interest in the arts. As importantly, it gives domestic students a wonderful opportunity to showcase their own culture and linguistic skills, as well as enjoy a show highlighting cultural diversity at Washington College,” she said.
Opening the event was sophomore William Reid, who sang “Song of the Purple Summer” from the musical “Spring Awakening.”
Following his performance was freshman Will Cohn, who played the ukulele and sang Bright Eyes’ “First Day of My Life,” and recited an original slam poem titled “Small Gods” from memory.
“They say I’m sloppy and I’m messy, it reflects me intellectually/Some days I speak like someone gave my brain its own vasectomy,” she said from the stage.
Other vocal performances featured sophomore Julia Manaraze singing “Skinny Love” and “Real Love,” Assistant Director of the GEO Sibel Ahi, who sang a traditional Turkish children’s song with her son, and freshman Michael Nichols with his rendition of “Shut Up and Dance.”
Sophomore Sarah Bowden also offered her own twist on “The Boy and the Rattlesnake,” a short story featuring two boys named Highcloud and Brightlight who encounter a shapeshifting spirit.
The final scheduled performer was freshman Margaret Poppiti, who sang and played guitar to Anna Nalick’s “Breathe.”
Once the official performance roster concluded, students continued to volunteer for spontaneous vocal and spoken word performances.
Lyle spoke to the importance of the GEO in helping WC fulfill the expectations of a liberal arts education for its students.
“All [GEO] events provide cultural enrichment and promote diversity, while preparing WC future leaders to learn, share their diverse cultures and traditions, and exchange experiences while creating friendships,” she said.
The GEO will also partner with the SEB to host a Halloween pumpkin patch and carving on Oct. 31.