Student Activities Board geared up for the spring season with a campus-wide carnival event, Belle-A-Palooza, on Friday at Saint Mary’s. Students and other members of the Saint Mary’s community were welcomed to the Dalloway’s Green for a “Belle of a good time!” “These are the most important days up to final exams. Students need a chance to unwind and as members of the activities board, we have a job to do that.” Erica Chiarello, president of the Student Activities Board, said. Alli Gerth, Student Activities Board (SAB) vice president, said Saint Mary’s hosts various celebrations during the year. Other events across Saint Mary’s includes: movie nights in Vander Theater, Midnight Madness, Murder Mystery Dinner, Study Day Massages and more. In years past, Belle-A-Palooza was celebrated in the Student Center Lounge due to bad weather, Chiarello said. “I was glad that the event was held on the beautiful greens of SMC. It was important to attend events like these because it brought the SMC family back together,” Belle-A-Palooza attendee and Saint Mary’s junior Nicole Papiernik said. Gerth said activities at Belle-A-Palooza included: mechanical bull, crafts, DJ, face tattoos and inflatables. The assortment of food that was available included: smoothies, fudge puppies, popcorn and cotton candy. “It was a good way to unwind, relax,” sophomore Emily Eash said. “It was a great way to have some young fun.” Sophomore Shannon Schlak said it was good to be a kid for a day before exam season began. Gerth said SAB plans to hold more events to take advantage of the warm weather while they can. Senior Jordan Diffenderfer said she enjoyed the event and reflected on her time at the College. “Wow, it was a mix between a beautiful day and a fun-time; I think SAB did a great job,” she said. “I just wish I weren’t graduating. I will miss things like this.”
