Students flocked to the Angela Athletic Facility Thursday night for Saint Mary's annual pseudo-pep rally, Midnight Madness, and the announcement of the Tostal performer at the College this spring.
Freshman, sophomore, junior and senior students donned their designated class colors and competed for class spirit points by participating in relays, dancing and other games. The Student Activities Board (SAB), which hosts the event, distributed free giveaways, including T-shirts featuring the event name and each class's graduating year.
Despite the abundance of games, the most anticipated of Midnight Madness is the announcement of the spring's Tostal performer. The Board announced Timeflies, an electro-pop duo, will perform on campus this spring.
"It's a great way to get the classes bonding through competition," junior Bridget Haines said. "We're basically rewarded with for playing games, having fun and dancing around with free T-shirts."
The Saint Mary's cheer team also led a coordinated cheer and fired up the crowd with chants.
"It's a great event to show not only class spirit, but SMC spirit," junior Eileen Cullina said. "Nights like these make me really happy that I am a Belle."
The event, typically hosted after spring break, is one of the only organized times in the year in which classes intermix.
Sophomore Kelsey Collins said the event felt similar to a sisterhood coming together. Fellow sophomore Allison Burns agreed.
"I feel as if I finally understand what Saint Mary's is about," Burns said. "The sense of community is overwhelming - in a good way."
SAB president and senior Liz Kraig said this year's Midnight Madness had the largest attendance in history, especially with the freshman class.
The newest members of Saint Mary's discovered the event solidified their place in the College's community, freshman Clarisa Medina said.
"It's really nice to see the freshman class together," Medina, a member of the freshman class board, said. "It's encouraging to see everyone excited for their next three years here."
Midnight Madness is deliberately hosted halfway through the second semester to bring the campus back together at a hectic time, SAB co-chair Cara Nozykowski, said.
"I like the idea of us just celebrating being together and what a great school we have," Nozyowski said. "Plus it's great to have a break from midterms."
