N.A.S.
by Kaitlin Lyle
As an opportunity to end the semester on an exciting note, CCSU students were treated to the annual Central Activities Network (CAN) Spring Carnival held in the Student Center Circle on April 23.
After rescheduling the event due to inclement weather, students came out of the woodwork to enjoy what CAN had in store for them. Even with the surprise snowflakes that fell 10 minutes into the event, students were determined to remain in the long lines for food and activities alike.
Sponsored by CA. and Inter-Residence Council (IRC), the theme for this year’s Spring Carnival was “Life is a Beach”. According to CAN Advisor Erica Gardner, both organizations’ members had thrown out various ideas for this year’s Spring Week before considering the beach theme as a fun reflection of the springtime weather.
As a result of the theme appealing to the students, the event soon became a collaboration of various student organizations, including the Student Government Association (SGA) and Phi Sigma Sigma, who wanted to help promote the carnival.
“We figured ‘Why not?’ because there’s more than enough room, and it’s really awesome to get different organizations all together underneath the same roof. We all collaborate really well together, so it make things a lot of fun,” said Ryan White, vice president of Programming for CAN
White also added that the members tried to aim the event towards the seniors as a last hurrah in their final weeks at CCSU, as well as appealing to the freshman with CAN’s brand of entertainment.
“I think they’ll love it. Every year that we’ve done it, students love the carnival,” said White.
For this year’s activities, CCSU students were given a menagerie of diversions to attempt, from a mechanical shark ride to bungee jumps. A new addition that brought students together in large numbers featured bubble bump soccer that was played out on the lawn next to Copernicus Hall.
Along with the fried dough truck that held the longest line of hungry students, the Carnival held a stand for Monster Energy as well as machines for popcorn and cotton candy. Novelties were given out including t-shirts, tank tops, drawstring bags and towels inscribed with CAN’s logo and the year’s theme. In the middle of the Circle was a carnival-themed photo booth that offered souvenir photos that students could take with their friends.
Along with the SGA table that handed out novelties for the upcoming spring concert, the National Guard had its own table, and the sorority Phi Sigma Sigma appealed to participants with their featured “Pie a Phi.”
“Basically, we’re letting people come up and ‘pie’ any sister they like for fun,” explained Phi member Kaitlin Zaidel, gesturing to the plates of whipped cream they had laid out for their participants.
“It’s also to get our name out and support other organizations,” added Aunchlee Reilly, one of the many campus delegates for the event.
In spite of the initial weather, the students of CCSU were met with enthusiasm with the day CAN had planned for them.
“I think it’s really fun. This is the first one I’ve gone to. Usually I can’t make it due to classes,” said junior Tisa Platt.
From the long lines that stretched across the Circle to the student’s eager participation in all the Carnival’s activities, the Central Activities Network went above and beyond to provide students with a great time before the semester’s end.