By Samantha Uebel, Staff Writer
Promise has started the school year with a new program called “September Identity Mixers.” Mixers were hosted from Sept. 9 through Sept. 22 on Zoom during common hour.
Students were encouraged to join the Zoom link, and meet other students who they shared an identity with. Mixers had been specified for Asian, Black, Jewish, Latinx, LGBTQ+, Muslim and Middle Eastern, and Multi-cultural identifying individuals.
During each mixer, students were guided by Promise coach Anthony White to introduce themselves, and were then informed of upcoming Promise events related to how they identified. After greeting the students and allowing everyone who wanted to join the Zoom conference into the call, White excused himself to give the students room to talk.
Students who joined the events were given the opportunity to meet new people who they may otherwise never have met on campus.
“I’m a commuter,” undecided freshman Taryn Zdenek said. “I was just looking to connect with people who I have something in common with.” Zdenek went on to add that she ended up making a group chat with the students from the Zoom call and is hopeful about gaining some great friends from this opportunity.
Sophomore business administration major Rylie Allen also welcomed the event as a chance to get to know other students she could relate to.
“I’m living on campus in Riggs hall and I was walking in the hallway and saw a sign with all of the identity mixers,” Allen said. “[I] thought to myself I might have to try [attending one].”
While some students were excited about the event, not everyone felt included. Users on Instagram questioned why there was not a mixer for Catholic/Christian faiths and various European identities. The Promise Instagram page directed those who were concerned about Catholic/Christian identity to the Newman Club, but no comment was made about European identities.
Zdenek and Allen both expressed interest in participating in more events like these in the future.
“Without a doubt [I would] do it again,” Allen said.
Be First to Comment