Saint Mary's Student Activities Board (SAB) decided not to reveal the Tostal performer at the annual Midnight Madness to emphasize the healthy competition between classes through games and contests in Angela Athletic Facility on Thursday night.
SAB vice president and senior Colleen Burke said though SAB has traditionally revealed the Tostal performer at the conclusion of Midnight Madness, the board opted to create more suspense and excitement about the reveal this year by making the announcement over Snapchat. According to Burke, students can check Snapchat each Thursday after spring break to find out which three country musicians SAB selected for this year's Tostal.
This year's Midnight Madness attracted an audience with a genuine interest in bonding with classmates, Burke said.
“This year we really wanted to focus on having Midnight Madness be its own event,” she said. “In past years, a lot of people have come to Midnight Madness mainly just to find out about the Tostal artist, and they're not there for the actual event itself.”
Burke said the event serves as an integral part of the Saint Mary's experience.
“If we were to take away Midnight Madness and not have it one year, it would just be taking away an opportunity for everyone to celebrate Saint Mary's,” Burke said. “It's important for all members of Saint Mary's to be involved in the activities that go on on campus.”
Sophomore Renee Reyes, who participated in the event, said this year's activities included trivia, giveaways and a singing challenge that engaged attendees.
“Everyone in the audience sang along and danced,” Reyes said. “It was so much fun to see everyone jamming out to classics.”
Midnight Madness promotes community and encourages teamwork, according to Reyes.
"I had a great time with my friends, and I got to bond with the rest of the sophomores," Reyes said. "I think Midnight Madness is super important because it brings the classes together."
Burke said Midnight Madness distinguishes itself from other SAB events because it simultaneously unifies each class while strengthening overall Saint Mary's pride.
"We have a lot of events during the year that really get the entire campus together, but they don't necessarily allow the grades to interact and play games with each other," Burke said. "The whole purpose of it is really to get the whole school together and embrace Saint Mary's and have a bunch of school spirit."
Senior Colleen Michael, SAB president, said Midnight Madness serves as an honored Saint Mary's tradition that deserves to be continued.
"It is one of those events when if I stop what I am doing for just a moment and look around, I realize how much I love this school and the community that makes it my home," Michael said. "It brings everyone together, spirit is high, and the enthusiasm is contagious. The more people, the more fun it is."
Michael said Midnight Madness solidifies students' love for the College by allowing them to interact with one another in different ways than they normally do.
"It gives the classes an opportunity to work together on a common goal, it allows them to be proud of their year, and it focuses on supporting each other," Michael said. "Students are given the opportunity to come together as a community. It is a time for spirit and a little bit of competition."
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