-Jessi Haulman
*****The writer is enrolled in Comm 240 News Reporting.****
After Dark is an event sponsored by Center for Student Involvement, held one Friday a month to provide an alternative to drinking for students. The events are held in the Memorial Union from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The March 7 After Dark had a “Hunger Games” theme. Some of the activities offered were “Hunger Games” trivia, hand writing analysis, bookmarks, face painting, “Catching Fire” movie, inflatables, and other fun activities for students to participate in.
One of the main events was singer/songwriter Kevin Mac, who performed both cover songs and original songs to a crowd in Cody Commons.
After Dark events came about as an idea for students to have an alternative to the drinking culture of Hays.
“The events are provided to help students connect with others in a safe and fun environment,” said Vince Bowhay, memorial union assistant director. “The topics for After Dark are decided by a group of student leaders from various organizations such as UAB (Union Activities Board), SGA (Student Government Association), Tiger Claws, and many other prominent organizations on campus.”
After Dark is primarily run by one graduate assistant and approximately 20 volunteers. The current graduate assistant running After Dark is Alex Shaw, who could not be reached for comment.
Two of the volunteers present at After Dark on March 7 were Erick Perez and Nyasha Maforo.
“I love helping with these events because I get to see all the smiling faces and make connections with new people in a new and fun way,” Perez said.
“I enjoy being a helper because I enjoy being a part of the excitement of the night and being a part of the students experience,” Maforo said.
The total turnout for After Dark events has been 3,000 people.
“Three thousand is a great number for these events,” said Bowhay. This event in particular drew about 350.
After Dark not only provides fun activities for students to participate in, the event also offers prize drawings for those who enter. Students had a chance to enter their names into a drawing for prizes such as a Kindle Fire, a flat screen TV, and “Hunger Games” book set. The drawing is done at the end of the night, and students must be present to win.
There is only one After Dark left this semester, and it will be in April. The date and theme have not yet been determined, Bowhay said.