Bingo brings in the crowd, brings in the funk
Published: Friday, September 7, 2012
Updated: Friday, September 7, 2012 02:09
With two weeks of school over, the students of UNC are always looking for a break between studies to relieve stress and have fun with their peers.
The Center for Peer Education hosts free bingo Wednesday nights throughout the school year as an activity for students to relax.
The University Center ballrooms were filled with more than 400 students Wednesday, and the atmosphere was loud and full of energy with a combination of music from the UNC Student Radio and the chatter of the students.
CPE uses bingo as a safe substitute to drinking and drugs on a Wednesday night.
“Since Wednesday is a big drinking night around a college, we like to provide a late-night alternative to partying for students,” said Brittany Bohl, a prevention coordinator for the Prevention Education and Advocacy Service Office.
The Prevention Education and Advocacy Service Office oversees the Center for Peer Education. Other organizations, such as UNC Student Radio and ASAP – Assault Survivors Advocacy Program – help contribute to making Bingo a great success.
In addition to playing bingo, different groups and organizations made small presentations on different topics during brief intermissions such as the effects of alcohol, drugs, unprotected sex and much more.
Refreshments such as lemonade and water are provided by CPE advocating for their “Party with a Plan” initiative to encourage safe consumption of alcohol.
Bohl said bingo nights are great for students to learn about alcohol and drugs through their peers.
Throughout the night, five full games of bingo were played. It is not the typical five in a row makes a bingo, but instead incorporates some school spirit. The first game, players are asked to make a U, followed by an N, C, O, and ending with an X.
With five games played each time, there are five opportunities to win prizes, which ranged from UNC apparel, concert tickets and gift cards. The winner of the fifth game, Blayse Andromeda-Focht, won an Amazon gift card.
Andromeda-Focht is an avid bingo player that enjoys coming to play because of the fun atmosphere, chants and great people.
“I look forward to learning more statistics about alcohol and drugs,” Andromeda-Focht said.
A fellow player and student, Ian Fralick, comes to bingo almost every time it is offered.
“The competition here is great,” Fralick said. “I come to relieve stress.”
Bingo is offered three more times this semester: Oct. 3, 19, and Nov. 14 in the UC Ballrooms. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the games begin at 8:30 p.m. The first 50 students to arrive receive free T-shirts.
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