Students showered with excitement at Block Party 2012

Those brave enough to face the rains at Liberty University on Saturday, Aug. 25, were rewarded with an energizing celebration for the new semester at the annual Block Party. The event featured games, carnival rides, giveaways, and live music by popular Christian rock artists Relient K and House of Heroes.

Jon Schneck, a guitarist for Relient K, is a current student with Liberty University Online. At a press conference prior to the event, Schneck said choosing Liberty Online made sense because it provided quality education and the flexibility he needed while on the road.

“For me, for what I do being gone, traveling a lot, it’s a perfect scenario. I can (take classes) at my own pace, my own schedule,” Schneck said. “I really don’t know how else I would (pursue my education) if I wasn’t doing a program at Liberty.”

Schneck, now in his third semester with Liberty Online, is pursuing a business degree. He said he hopes to participate in Liberty’s Commencement exercises when he graduates.

He added that because Liberty is a Christian university, he is able to grow his faith, taking theology and apologetics courses, which he described as “an added treat” to his education.

Though this was his first time at Liberty as a member of Relient K, Schneck had performed at the university with the band Audio Adrenaline, where he twice helped students ring in the New Year at Winterfest.

Though conditions were wet and chilly, scores of students filled the LaHaye parking lot on Saturday to ride the Ferris wheel, grab some cotton candy, hang out with friends, and visit a handful of tents where representatives from various departments around the university introduced themselves to the students.

As the sun dipped behind the mountains, House of Heroes took the stage and pumped up the audience with their aggressive, alternative rock sound.

Relient K then carried the show, playing an electrifying lineup for the eager crowd. The band performed a number of old favorites, including “Pressing On,” “In Love with the ’80s,” and “Sadie Hawkins Dance;” some new songs, like “Boomerang;” and hits such as “Be My Escape” and “Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been.” Relient K front man Matthew Thiessen even coached the students in a sing-a-long to “Mood Rings.”

While on stage, Schneck introduced himself to his fellow Liberty students, and wowed them with his guitar and xylophone abilities.

Relient K closed out with “Deathbed,” a ballad of life, death, regret, salvation, and hope.

Block Party ended with an explosive fireworks finale, sending students back to their residence halls drenched, but in high spirits.

Student Activities has been hosting Block Party for close to 20 years. It is just one of the nearly 80 events it hosts throughout the year, including concerts, movie nights, trail races, trips, and Coffeehouse.