elisabeth freligh / NL Shake it like a polaroid picture! Students at the Spring Flurries dance bust a move in the Campus Center Den. While Student Activities didn’t plan for a crowning of a king or queen, dancers were rewarded with contests and free goodies.   elisabeth freligh / NL

Spring Flurries dance shakes things up

By Monica Terrones
Special to the Northern Light

Student Activities decided to try a new spin for this years’ Spring Flurries dance. Instead of piling gifts on the king and queen of the dance, door prizes were awarded. It was a move designed to accommodate the campus’ social scene.

“We wanted to steer away from popularity contests,” said Beth Smart, Student Activities coordinator.

“This campus is not really known for being one in which everyone knows each other, so it got confusing.”

Crowning of the king and queen was replaced by a series of contests. Instead, people did hula hoop, chopstick and a stupid and unusual talent contests. Even those who did not participate in the contests had a chance to win the big door prizes. Student Activities picked up an Xbox gaming console, a DVD/VCR player and even an mp3 player were up for grabs. The campus bookstore donated gift certificates and the Campus Center Information Desk also donated prizes.

Enzina Marrari, a Student Activities employee, made sure the giveaways would satisfy students. She went around campus asking students what kinds of items they would want raffled off.

“Students kept mentioning those three items,” Marrari said of the grand prizes.

The dance began at 9 p.m. in the Campus Center Den. The mood was set with dark blue and silver stars and of course, flurries. DJ Steve Franklin with M&M Productions kept the students dancing by playing current hits and taking requests as they came. The medium-sized dance floor was just right for the crowd of around 60-70 students. Smart said the turnout was on par with last year’s dance.

Students at the dance had mostly positive things to say about the activity. One of the only problems addressed was the lack of promotion.

“I like it,” said Michael Blanton, a junior. “Poorly advertised, though.”

It was Beth Varner’s first Spring Flurries appearance and the junior psychology student said she enjoyed herself.

 “There’s a pretty good diversity of people here,” Varner said.

With food, juice, good music and a chance to win some desirable prizes, Student Activities’ 2004 Spring Flurries dance was a hit.