Oksoberfest alive with Halloween fun |
| Posted by Administrator on Nov 10 2008 at 12:35 PM |
Photo by A Sanam Bhaila
Students played poker at the third annual Oksoberfest held in the Ponderosa Room of the Nebraska Student Union Friday night. Over 300 students dressed up and participated in games arranged in the program organized by Peer Health Education, which is part of Counseling and Health Care.
By Jenny Gierhan
Antelope Staff
Scandalous costumes, two kegs and puking make for a typical Halloween night at the third annual Oksoberfest held in the Ponderosa Room of the Nebraskan Student Union. Peer Health Education (PHE), which is part of Counseling and Health Care, sponsored the event as a non-alcoholic activity for students to participate in.
Ismael Torres, Peer Health Education Coordinator said, "Oksoberfest began because several students who visit PHE have participated in diversion and say there is nothing to do in Kearney other than go to parties. The event is to show students ways to socialize and have a good time without alcohol."
Over 300 students dressed up in costumes like a gorilla, the Jolly Green Giant, Indiana Jones, a big baby and Raggedy Ann and attended Oksoberfest.
Whether students were lured by video games, fear factor competition, a costume contest or free food, there was definitely a reason each person attended. Every aspect of the event had some sort of large prize.
The participant of Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution with the most points after one turn won the actual game at the end of the night. Out of 20 Fear Factor participants, the fearless winner received the newest model of the iPod Nano. The brave guys that competed had to eat real bugs that were imported, puke made from cinnamon, peanuts, applesauce, oatmeal, raisins and jalapeno-flavored Cheezits. To win, the students had to devour tuna Twinkies.
Heather Glodt, a freshman elementary education major from Oberlin, Kan., said she came to Oksoberfest because upperclassmen told her it is a really good time.
She said, "I'm having a good time here. My favorite part of the night was watching Fear Factor and my RA Scott puke!"
Many attendees were hoping for the chance at winning a brand new Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3 or door prizes such as a cordless mouse and keyboard, movies and movie tickets to Kearney Cinema 8.
To be in the raffle for the Wii, students took an alcohol screening. It was a survey format with several questions about alcohol and how it is present in each student's personal life. Of the 150 screenings available and by 8:30 p.m. 100 surveys had already been filled out.
Sam Stahlnecker, a freshman graphic design major from Omaha said she came because she had no other plans for Halloween.
"Going to Oksoberfest is way better than people going out and binge drinking, then driving drunk and getting in accidents," Stahlnecker said.
Stahlnecker, who was dressed as Sarah Palin, said, "My favorite part of tonight has been watching people attempt DDR. They are either really good or really bad!"
A movie to educate the effects of alcohol and posters charting what happens to the human body when blood alcohol levels soar were all around the walls of the Ponderosa Room. Few students were interested in the educational aspect of Oksoberfest, as most were just trying to win prizes or enjoy a free piece of pizza.
Peer Health Education is an organization of about nine students ranging from freshman to seniors who are there to help educate fellow students about issues that affect them. Alcohol is one of the biggest issues.
Torres said, "The people in PHE get all the credit for this awesome event. They have been planning since the summer and have put a lot of time and energy into the success of Oksoberfest."
