Students prepare for Sibs Weekend with programs like Apollo Night and T-Pain Concert.
Erika Barth, a junior studying strategic communication, said she will be taking advantage of the Sibs Weekend events that are are equipped with free food and entertainment.
“I mean, when you bring your sibling down, most likely you are going to be the one that has to pay for everything and … as a money-constrained student, I don’t really have a lot to go around, so that’s actually really nice that they do that,” Barth said.
Jamie Patton, the assistant dean of students, said there are many events planned this weekend for students and their siblings.
“We are going to be an active and engaging and fun, younger campus for a couple days,” Patton said. “I really like the uniqueness and the flavor of giving this opportunity for siblings again to visit on their student’s terms.”
In years past, hockey games and the annual Sibs Weekend concert have been popular, but in addition to those events, there is a new program this year called Midnight Meltdown where students and their siblings can skate at Bird Arena at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Patton said.
The University Program Council also has its annual Sibs Weekend Carnival in Baker Center Ballroom.
“Some of the activities that we will be having are face paint, temporary tattoos, balloon animals and the chance to win a goldfish,” Jenna Sopko, the executive of university events of University Program Council, said.
There is something for everyone at the carnival, and people of all ages can enjoy carnival games and snacks, Sopko said.
Patton said he estimates between 500 to 700 siblings will be visiting their students for the weekend.
“I mean it’s definitely important because it shows the opportunities that exist,” Patton said. “So, it’s a great opportunity for younger students to really get a feel for what college life is like.”
Patton also said it is important not only for first-generation college students to show their siblings campus life but even for students whose parents attended college 15 to 20 years ago.
“For those students whose parents did graduate with a bachelor’s degree, their experience ... was a lot different than what we have now,” Patton said.
Barth said her siblings have not visited her for Sibs Weekend in years past.
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“This year, my sister is actually coming for Sibs Weekend,” Barth said. “So, we are looking forward to going to the carnival and especially like going to the ice skating event. Both of us are really into ice skating, so that will be really fun for the both of us.”
Apollo Night is a talent show with an admission of $3, which is modeled after “Show Time at the Apollo,” Jeffrey Billingslea, a junior studying political science, said.
It’s an old tradition at the Apollo Theater where performers sing, and if the singer is not what the audience wants, then they are ushered offstage by someone who is called an executioner or sandman.
“The contestant gets to perform an array of talents, whatever they want to perform and … they get thirty seconds to perform it — sort of like American Idol,” Billingslea said. “If you sound good they can let you keep going or if not, the audience will boo you, and then, you’ll have the Sandman ... come escort you off the stage.”
Although the Apollo Night might not appeal to everyone, there are plenty of other events that are conveniently listed in the Sibs Weekend itinerary.
“I always look forward to the social things because that is what a lot of students look forward to. Yes, we get a great turnout for our educational and cultural events, but then again, it’s just that social aspect that people can really just let loose and just go and have fun,” Billingslea said. “You don’t have to take any notes or things like that or get a class credit, but… I really look forward to the social aspect of this weekend.”
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