Story by TAYLOR THOMPSON Photos by RORY MOORE
Tiger Media Network
The Memorial Union Ballroom transformed into a dance floor Tuesday night as students gathered for a performance by DJPforReal, the official DJ for Lil Uzi Vert. Hosted by Student Engagement, the event gave students a chance to unwind before midterms with music, dances, and scholarship giveaways.
“We just want students to have fun right before their midterms,” said Director of Student Engagement Brett Meyer. “It’s a time to take a break from studying and hang out with friends.”
DJ P plays music inside The Memorial Union Ballroom. 
Students attending the event. 
P interacting with a student after being impressed by her dancing. 
Passing a beach ball while dancing. 
Busting some moves to Dub Step. 
A duo performing a custom dance. 
Students performing various moves while having fun. 
Jumping to “Party Rock.” 
Dancing around the floor. 
Closing out the night with turntables and popular tunes.
Students who checked in at the event were automatically entered to win scholarships.
Meyer said the decision to bring DJPforReal came directly from student input.
“Students told me he was the one they wanted,” Meyer said. “So we listened to them and made it happen.”
Flying in from Atlanta, DJPforReal said the trip to Hays was worth it for the crowd’s enthusiasm.
“I had a lot of fun here,” DJPforReal said. “Fort Hays State University is kind of far, but the energy made it all worth it.”
Student Engagement Student Employee Joji Backman said the event was part of ongoing efforts to support student wellness.
“Mental health is a big issue across colleges,” Backman said. “We wanted to do our part by giving students a fun break. DJPforReal was perfect, he’s done sold-out stadiums but will also play for a party of 20 because he loves what he does.”
The response from students, Backman added, was overwhelmingly positive.
“A lot of people have said, ‘Why haven’t we done this before?’” Backman said. “That just shows we’ll probably do it again.”
Among the scholarship winners was freshman criminal justice major Jaidyn Alvarado, who came simply to check out the event.
“We just wanted to see what it was about, and it ended up being really fun,” Alvarado said.
Winning a scholarship made the night even better for Alvarado.
“It felt like I got rewarded for coming out,” Alvarado said. “I was showing off my backflips, got a hat, and then I won a scholarship. It was great.”
Alvarado said her first semester at FHSU has been a positive experience overall.
“There’s so much to do here and it’s been a really great experience,” Alvarado said
Meyer said that sense of connection is what the event was meant to create.
“This is a time to make friends, have fun, and come together as a united Tiger family,” Meyer said.