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With Homecoming weekend here and with CFAW quickly approaching at the end of this month it makes me reflect on some memorable moments from a past CFAW. As students, we tend to look at CFAW as or an event like Homecoming as a plague that will make it harder to find parking, longer lines at Garbanzo, and constantly hear the words “Rebar-Thomas Dinning Hall. All jokes aside, CFAW is such a unique opportunity given to us.

I think back to a time when I met a specific family visiting for CFAW last semester in the Spring. To protect their privacy, we will say the mom’s name is Misty and the daughter’s name was Kaylee. As I was working a coffee promotion shift for my job this mom and daughter introduced themselves as I offered them some coffee. This was pretty standard, and I did not think anything of it. I asked where they were from as they answered Charlotte. They returned me with the same question. Now I had answered this about 500 times that day saying the city in which I was from. Before I could even think I said, “I live not too far from Hanging Rock State Park”.  I immediately thought to myself, “what in the world was that? You’re like 30 mins from there”. To my surprise, Misty and Kaylee just looked at me and began to cry. With confusion and comfort, I looked back at them and began to apologize for anything I may have said that would provoke these tears. Kaylee looked back at me and apologized and began to explain how her cousin had a hiking accident at this mountain. The year prior, Andrew had fallen off the mountain and was rushed to the hospital. They explained how Andrew was now paralyzed from the chest down and began to cry again. At this point I began to tear up and then I emphasized how sorry I was. I then tried to relate to them and explained how a good friend of mine had a similar experience around the same time as Andrew’s accident. The summer before my friend Mark had a swimming pool diving accident that has left him paralyzed from the waist down.

By now, the three of us are teary eyed because of the pain we all had felt in the past year as we watched people we love suffer from such difficult situations. Seconds go by, then suddenly Misty looks at me and asks if Mark was sent to Shepherd Center for his rehab. My glossy eyes looked up as I said “Yes! That’s exactly where he was sent! But how do you know about Shepherd Center?”. She then exclaimed, that Andrew was sent to Shepherd Center for his therapy as well!

I just couldn’t believe that Andrew from Winston Salem, North Carolina and Mark from Memphis, Tennessee both ended up in Atlanta, Georgia at Shepherd Center. Both these cities stretch over 300 miles away from Atlanta in opposite directions.

As I processed what God was obviously doing, I watched as Misty’s eyes filled with life. “I have held such a heavy weight for my family, and you are one of the only that understands what it is like to be on this side of this trauma”, said Misty. She began to explain how she has been strong for her family and how God has still been so faithful in her life and in the life of Andrew. Speechless I responded by asking her if I can pray for her and Kaylee and for the recovery process for Andrew and Mark.

After praying, this mom and daughter looked up at me with tear filled eyes and just simply say, “Thank you”. Misty then expressed how God has made her feel seen in her struggles and that she needed to have this conversation.

It was at this moment I realized that God had used this in my life as well. As I watched them walk away, I recalled a prayer from the day before when I asked God to confirm my call to ministry. This was the moment; this was the confirmation! It flooded my thoughts and emotions, and I realized my call was confirmed through this woman and her daughter. I realized that God was confirming my call to help and remind others of the faithfulness of God. He had given me the words to speak even when I did not know what to say.

I say all of this so we, as the student body, remember to never miss an opportunity to open ourselves up to talk with others. What seemed to just be another coffee promotion shift became a ministry opportunity and a life-giving conversation. As we continue to put on events and as students continue to visit for CFAW we should look for opportunities to pour into a family or take the opportunity to have a deep conversation. You might be surprised what could come out of the conversation. Who knows, maybe they could be a blessing to or maybe you can be a blessing to them? The only way to know is by stepping out of your comfort zone and stepping away for the normality of everyday life and investing into a meaningful conversation.

 

Written by Riley Anderson

Riley is a junior majoring in Christian Leadership and Church Ministry with a minor in Biblical Studies.

The year is 2015. Christmas Coffeehouse is in full-swing and expectations are high as ever. Students don’t come to Coffeehouse for mediocre, they come for memorable, and on this particular December night in the Vines Center, memorable is what they got. Vegan Llamas, the five-piece rock band, enters the stage guns blazing (metaphorically) and heads banging (literally) with dazzling green lights, sleeveless vests, and a keytar. The Richmond-based ensemble rocks out their performance of “The Beautiful Grinchmas”, and the next four minutes and fifty-one seconds is an experience almost too spectacular for words (but that’s why I’m here).

Imagine “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” meets 80’s electronic rock. The classic Christmas track is belted out over electric guitars and heart-pounding drums. There’s a keytar solo that could nearly bring you to tears. Tongues are wagging, heads are banging, and Santa hats are flinging across the stage. It’s loud, it’s wild, it’s Christmas, it’s…beautiful. Fake snow descends upon picking fingers and the audience erupts into a standing ovation (the only proper response to such an experience). I guess you could say everyone was rockin’ around the Christmas tree.

Along with stunning live performances, Christmas Coffeehouse is also host to many hilarious and clever student-submitted videos. One infamous example is 2017’s “LUPD Bananas on the Rot”. For context for new or transfer students, Liberty at one point had an epidemic (one we don’t recommend bringing back unless you like the smell of rotting fruit) of students throwing bananas on to the roof of the Rot. 

The video depicts four Liberty students acting as Liberty University Police Department officers partaking in a good amount of hilarity, such as buying an absurd amount of donuts, stacking multiple parking fines on car windshields, and devising ridiculous strategies for hunting down the student responsible behind the banana vandalism. The four “officers” take turns doing interviews with the camera (“The Office” style) and run around campus garbed in aviators, fake mustaches, and jorts. It’s a genuine masterpiece.

The story reaches its climax when the boys find the banana vandal, only to be easily outran by the student through the academic lawn. The officers hatch a plan to dress as Santa to catch the student in the act and tackle him mid-throw in front of the Rot, bringing the potassium pranking to an end. All in a day’s work.

While I can’t promise a metal cover of “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer”, or a video of LUPD taking down The Slim’s Chicken Bandit at this year’s Christmas Coffeehouse, I am confident that you will have a night to remember. So, whether you want to be the one creating the masterpiece, or if watching it is more your speed, come on out to the Vines Center on December 4th and prepare to be amazed!

 

Written by Jordan Hassler

Jordan is a Sophomore studying Event Planning with a Biblical Studies minor. He enjoys expressing his creativity through words, and sharing his experiences and personality by way of writing. He’s passionate about music, nature, and forming genuine connections with others.

I write this blog with tear-filled eyes as I reflect on how blessed I am. This piece has been inspired by the wisdom that can come from a grandparent who has walked with the Lord for years and years. I was inspired to sit down with my grandparents and ask them questions about their lives and how they have seen God working throughout the years. I know many students no longer have this blessing to sit and talk with their grandparents. Yet, I hope this can inspire and help us glean wisdom as I walk through the interview with my grandparents.

For context, my grandparents have worked multiple different jobs through the years as well as upkeeping their farm in North Carolina. They are both strong believers who love their families and are heavily active in their local church to this day. Below are the questions I asked and the answers I received from my grandparents. They responded not only to me, but as if they were speaking to the student body.

Question 1: How has God shown his faithfulness in your life?

            My Pawpaw answered that there are many ways God has shown himself to be faithful. He emphasized that God has never failed him over the years and stated, “all the blessings He poured out on me: salvation, my family, health, job, and home.” My Nana answered, “God has always been faithful to me; just to wake me up in the morning and give me breath and a blessed life. Most of all: salvation, mercy, and grace which I don’t deserve.” Their hope, for us as a student body, is that we constantly reflect on the faithfulness of God in our own pasts and let that remembrance of his faithfulness lead us.

Question 2: Why do you still choose to believe in God after these many years?

            I wrote this question with hope that it would encourage the person who may doubt their faith. Even as a ministry major, I have asked the tough questions about God and His existence, so I wanted to ask my grandparents as well. I asked my Nana, how her belief in God has sustained for so many years and she said, “How could I not believe in God after all these years. I could not make it every day without Him helping me through the hard times. I am so blessed. With Him everything is possible”. My grandpa said, “his love for me, and looking back over the years, he has never failed me”. Their answers were such an encouragement for my heart and personal walk with the Lord. I know we all face tough days; half of college is made of fun times and the other half seems to be hard ones, but this reminder made me reflect on the faithfulness of God in my own college journey.

Question 3: What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

            I know this is such a cliché question, but Scripture is one of God’s ways of speaking to us, and when I asked my grandparents this question God spoke through these verses to me. My grandpa chose Psalm 37:23-24, “A person’s steps are established by the Lord, and he takes pleasure in his way. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord supports him with his hand.” This passage blows me away and, in a time, where college is filled with so many uncertainties like: where will I work, who will I marry, will I finish my assignments, or will I be able to keep up financially? I can trust that God is leading me, and nothing is by mistake. Then my grandma answered and chose 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” The she said that this has been the standard that she tries to live by. She also said that she feels like Psalm 139 waswritten for her and reading it left me speechless of God’s perfect love shown through this chapter. I encourage you to give that chapter a read and hear God’s word for us!

Question 4: What advice would you give to a student getting ready to start their career?

            For many students (myself included), it can be easy to worry about the future. Thinking about a career can be especially overwhelming, so I asked my grandparents for any advice they would give to these students. My grandpa said, “Always put God first. Never make a decision without going to Him in prayer. Seek Him first in all things and be sure to give God all the glory.” It was encouraging to be reminded that our focus is supposed to be on God in the first place and to never grow tired of waiting on the Lord. Then my grandma said, “Trust God to put you where He wants you in His will. I would not have you being out of God’s will for anything. Always know God is in charge. He has a special plan for you so much better than I can imagine. I pray he gives you guidance and wisdom to make decisions easy for you. God is good all the time; all the time God is good.” Remember, this was my Nana’s advice addressed to each person that reads these words (yes, you).

Question 5: What advice in general would you give college students?

            The college years are some of the most formative years of a person’s life. My grandparents have watched as I have grown and developed through my time here at Liberty. I know their answers were both prayed through and grounded in Scripture as they thought how to answer in a way that would help each of us in a time where life seems so busy, so fast, and so vital. When my grandpa was asked this question he said, “Do not get drawn into the things of the world. Satan will try to show you how good things could be if you follow him, but that “good” would be short-lived. So, my best advice is not to be fooled by Satan.” We all face temptations, but rarely do we consider these temptations to be a war for our attention. This warning to give God our attention and give him our life and our desires has been such a help to me. My grandma then answered, “Take college serious, but don’t take it so serious that you miss out on the whole experience. Life is short, not to you, young people, but it is too us older ones. Enjoy it all the good times and the bad.  Especially the first semester. Take the education of living life away from home and learning how to live it well.  Pray, pray, and pray some more.”. I cannot emphasize this enough. Through your time at Liberty make sure to take advantage of every moment and ever event. Whether it be Bingo nights, movie nights, or something as simple as just hall hangouts. Take advantage of every moment and spend time making memories and learning to love the people around you. The true shame would be missing out on what God has for us in this present moment.

Question 6: What is one life-changing lesson you have learned?

            Wow, this question was one that hit me personally. As I wrote down this question, I thought of all the limitless lessons that must make up the precious lives of my grandparents who have loved and followed the Lord for years. They have committed their lives and work to their heavenly Savior, so I can only image the trials that accompanied them through the years and allowed them to learn such things. My grandpa made the simple, but ground-shaking statement, “I can do nothing without the Lord”. I have seen this to always be true in my life. The quicker we learn this humbling truth, the faster we will lean on the Lord in complete surrender to His will for us. My grandma then followed up saying her lesson learned in life is, “We all have strongholds. I always thought that strongholds were like bad habits or bad choices. It is so much more. It is letting Satan get in your mind and influencing you to doubt Gods love for us, or God’s word, or the truth of the Bible. Don’t be afraid to let your request be made known. Pray for everything – even the little things. Don’t let Satan in. Always be on guard. Satan is on the prowl and looking for our weaknesses. Trust God. Nothing is too hard for God.”. I had never thought of a stronghold in my life simply being Satan trying to influence my thoughts. This has shaped, as I hope it will for many of you, how I think about my walk with Christ as I combat strongholds in my life.

            I hope this helps you, and in turn, those around you. I hope each of you see and know that the generations that have come before us have so much to teach us. Although they are not perfect, they want to help us. I want to thank my grandparents for sharing their wisdom with the student body at Liberty University. These words of wisdom have certainly helped me. May we always pray, pray, and pray all the more for the Lord to lead us.

References

The Holy BIBLE: CHRISTIAN Standard Bible: Holman Bibles. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

 

Written by Riley Anderson

Riley is a junior majoring in Christian Leadership and Church Ministry with a minor in Biblical Studies.

She’s cruel. She’s a devil. If she doesn’t scare you, no evil thing will. She’s ruthless. She’s a menace. She’s… likeable? Cruella de Vil has been hailed as a puppy-killing – but fashionable – villain since the 1950s. Now it seems that this infamous character has taken the path of many re-told Disney villain stories and become more of a quasi-relatable antihero.

The Cruella seen in the 2021 film is vastly different from the original in Dodie Smith’s The Hundred and One Dalmatians in 1956. Smith painted Cruella as a married socialite who was incredibly spoiled and even had a pet cat. Though later versions diverge from this original portrayal, her taste for fur coats has always been present to some degree. The next version of the cruel devil came about in the early 1960s. Animator Marc Davis brought to life the crazed, wiry-haired terror who was always shrouded in green smoke.

The next Cruella made her grand entrance with Glenn Close’s 1996 version of the voguish, successful, and humorous icon. This was the first time an audience experienced a Cruella that was not just evil, but entertaining. This portrayal of a likable and witty “villain” was the first step in the direction of a relatable (or at least understandable) Cruella. She is someone we hate to love and love to hate; we like her because we aren’t supposed to. This concept of Cruella is exactly what is shown in the newest movie.

If you have not seen “Cruella” (2021), this is your official “spoiler warning”. Emma Stone’s Cruella is young. She’s driven, filled with revenge, and as the movie itself emphasizes so many times, a genius. Her tragic past combined with her current struggles and wasted talent create a feeling of sympathy for her. It is easy to root for her and want her to win her personal battle against The Baroness. That is not to say there are an abundance of redeeming qualities, agreeableness, or justification for some of her actions, but it still helps to understand her as a person.

She is originally shown as a young girl named Estella with a knack for getting in trouble. Her problematic tendencies are attributed to what seems to be an alter ego. In the end, it turns out that Estella was the true alter ego in order to hide Cruella from the world. There is something to be said about the psychological stability of Cruella, but that would need an entirely separate blog.

The majority of negative audience reviews revolved around the portrayal of Cruella as someone whose horrible actions are somehow okay simply because there is an explanation of her motivation. The negative opinions focused on Cruella being humanized, villains being redeemed even without any redeeming qualities, and the harm of presenting Cruella as a role model. However, Cruella was never intended to be morally complex. She objectively does bad things. She was never intended to be a good role model. That would defy the whole essence of her being. By inviting viewers into her mind, it helps to understand her, not support her. This movie shows that evil may still be plain evil, but things are not always so black and white (pun intended) as they may seem.  

A takeaway from this newfound depth is to not form preconceived notions or a personal bias on someone or something based solely on the one popular narrative. Since the first incarnation of this character, she has been a puppy-killer, a wicked woman, an uncaring and cold-hearted villain. With other versions, particularly 2021’s first-person account, it is shown that there is more to every story. Learning more about a person’s story can have eye-opening realizations to their personal desires, goals, and motivators.

A huge theme to acknowledge in this film is the idea of nature vs. nurture. Estella was raised by a caring mother who always tried to “love her into shape” as Cruella herself states it. Try as she might, Estella could never quite tame those wild inclinations. Near the end of the movie, it is revealed that the stone-cold, heartless Baroness is the real birth mother of Cruella. The strong-willed ambition of The Baroness is evident in Cruella, and the cutthroat ruthlessness peaks out at times, but ultimately Estella makes a sacrifice to be with her mother, leaving Cruella her rightfully earned riches and top spot in the fashion world. However, she decides to ultimately spare the life of The Baroness, which is notably opposite the decision of the Baroness concerning Estella’s adoptive mother all those years ago.

Our protagonist’s final visit to the fountain to speak with the mother who raised her completes the life of Estella. Cruella steps into her full, extravagant personality, leaving the behaved Estella behind, but never forgetting the love and guidance that shaped her into the successful woman she became.

So, do we become who we are destined to be based on our DNA and genetic make-up? Or do we make our choices based on the environments that raised us? Come watch “Cruella” on Friday, September 24 on the Commons Lawn and decide for yourself.

 

Written by: Anna Pender

Anna is a Senior Strategic Communications major. She is thankful to have the opportunity to write for the blog because it gives her a chance to explore and write about topics and events that she is passionate about and that are relevant to the world. She loves getting to be creative and share her personality through writing.

In 2018, a film came out that presented a new perspective for the horror genre. Directed by John Krasinski, A Quiet Place tells the story of a family living in an apocalyptic era, where alien creatures hunt based on sound. The filmfollows your typical American family, the Abbotts, as they work desperately to survive in silence.

Perhaps one of the most unique features of A Quiet Place is its utilization of a disabled character and AmericanSign Language (ASL). Having one of the lead characters be deaf was not just a coincidence or creative choice, it was an intentional part of the film. A Quiet Place is themed around silence, so what better way to explore a silent world than through those who have already learned how to navigate the world in silence.

For John Krasinksi, who also starred in A Quiet Place, casting a deaf actress to play a deaf character was a non-negotiable. Millicent “Millie” Simmons is an actress, and she is deaf. She has acted in other movies, such asWanderlust, but she is most known today for her stunning performance in both A Quiet Place, and A Quiet Place: Part II.

It was so refreshing and encouraging to me to see a film feature a disabled actress and portray this disability so beautifully. While I myself do not have a disability, there are many people in my life that I love deeply who have a disability of some kind. Every person is made fearfully and wonderfully in the image of God. As followers of Jesus, we should treat everyone, regardless of ability or disability, with the dignity and honor that they have as image bearers. Wecome across people with many types and levels of disabilities every day, and our entertainment should reflect the same. Roughly 600,000 people in the United States alone are deaf or hard of hearing. This may seem like a small number compared to the population, but each person who was counted as a part of that number is a real person made in the image of God and they deserve representation in entertainment.

It was important to Krasinski to honor deaf culture and those in the deaf community, so looked to Millie to help him understand what it is like to live without sound. The cast and crew all learned ASL so that they could communicate,and most dialogue in the film was done in ASL. During the filming process, he would check in with Millie to make sure what he was directing was as accurate a depiction as possible of what it means to be deaf. Much of the film’s cameraand audio work was inspired by Millie’s life. As you watch both the first and second films, you will notice thatwhenever the camera is focused on Millie’s character, all sound becomes muffled, sound does not disappear, justbecomes very muted. This decision was made based off a conversation that Krasinski had with Millie’s mother. Millie is deaf, but she does not live in complete silence. She hears the world at a very low, muffled level. So, what you see Millie’s character experience withsound is truly a depiction of what Millie experiences in her real life.

Perhaps the most beautiful part of the inclusivity of American Sign Language and deaf culture in the film is the way that it is portrayed as a strength. Living with a disability is not easy and of course comes with challenges, but this absolutely does not mean that there is not value, strength, and beauty to be found within a disability. Ever since the fall,people with disabilities of any kind have had to fight to be included and valued as an asset rather than seen as adisadvantage. But, in the lives of the Abbott family, the fact that their daughter is deaf becomes their greatest advantagein this apocalyptic world. Their prior experience with sign language gave them the ability to communicate in a world where life depends on silence. I do not want to give away any spoilers for the first film, but Millie’s deafness plays a huge role in the family’s survival. What most of the world may consider a weakness, is the greatest strength that thisfamily has, other than their love for each other.

Overall, I think that this film did a great job honoring deaf culture and those in the deaf community, from thecast and crew all learning sign language, hiring a deaf actress to play a deaf character, and portraying disability as a strength. Thank you to the cast and crew of A Quiet Place for showing the world that “disabled” does not have to mean “disadvantaged”.

Resources:

https://www.thewrap.com/quiet-place-star-john-krasinski-on-learning-sign-language-for-the-filmexclusive-video/

 

Written by: Sarah Day

Sarah is a junior majoring in Youth Ministry. Sarah enjoys writing for the blog because she loves exploring the ways that the simplest things in our lives impact us in the most meaningful ways. She is passionate about connecting with people, talking about what truly matters and baking.

I want you to picture this. It’s last Spring and Student Activities is hosting an Outdoor Open Mic. We meet at Montview to start setting up, and as we try to use the elevators, we get stopped by none other than a slew of security guards. As it turned out, another event on campus was hosting princesses (how cool is that), and we were not able to have Open Mic outside because it could pose a potential security threat. So, we moved it inside. It turned out to be no big deal, (and the girls working that night ended up giving a pretty spectacular performance of “You Belong with Me” by Taylor Swift) but in the moment it felt quite stressful to have our plans turned upside down.
I’ve found myself in situations like these loads of times; you probably have too. Jobs you thought you were going to have, friendships or relationships you thought would turn out differently, plans falling through: life is full of unexpected circumstances. Sometimes the stakes are smaller, like switching the location of an Open Mic, but sometimes they’re much bigger. The unexpected isn’t all bad either, sometimes the most joyful things in life are surprises. Think of surprise parties, or new friends, or finding out you’re going to be an aunt or uncle.

The unexpected can be hard though. I consider myself to be an easygoing person (most of the time), but to an extent, I think we all desire an amount of control or at least certainty in our lives. From a psychological standpoint, certainty fulfills our inherent need for safety (Siegel). Beyond that, from a Biblical standpoint, we can see that this desire actually comes from a sinful nature. We feel the need for control and safety because we lack trust in He who is able to control it all.

University of Texas professor, Raj Raghunathan argues that losing control can make people happier. He points out that the desire for control creates conflict, heightens blood pressure when that level of control is not attained, and it causes us to sacrifice other things that would bring about happiness (Raghunathan). He suggests people learn to embrace uncertainty and enjoy whatever life brings to the table. And from a Christian perspective, I would say that we should learn to trust whatever God has for us.

My English 102 professor (shoutout Dr. Muller) once said something quite profound that has really stuck with me for the past couple of years. He said something along the lines of, “Why would we try to build our own lives when we can place them in the hands of He who knows how to truly build life?” God created life. He knows how it ought to be lived in its best and most pure sense! Now, this does not always make it easy to place our lives in hands we cannot tangibly see (and it’s okay to ask why or be sad for a time), but we can choose to trust Romans 8, that God really does work all things together for the good of those who love Him and find freedom in letting go.

So, in this case, God working things out for good looked like having a smaller, but more energetic Open Mic. In other unexpected times, it’s looked like having the best Summer in a position I never would have picked for myself and sometimes, it is not knowing why God has done the things He has. So, when things don’t go as planned how great is it that we do not have to have control but can turn to Him who has a plan for all things?

References:

http://changingminds.org/explanations/needs/control.htm

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_losing_control_make_you_happier

 

Written by: Courtney Stone

Courtney is a Business Administration: Digital Marketing and Advertising major. She enjoys writing for the blog as a way to explore relevant topics and grow in written communication.

This year, our Block Party has an awesome lineup of premier vendors that are supporting our event! We wanted to give you a rundown of who they are and what they do, so here they are:

Premier Sponsors

YES (Your Event Source) – based out of Charlotte, NC, YES has been a part of our SA events for many years now. They provide the attractions you love, like the Ferris wheel, the mechanical bull, Meltdown and more! We love working with them and having them be a part of our events, especially Block Party.

90.9 FM The Light – the Contemporary Christian Music station based in Lynchburg that you probably listen to on your drive to and from work. They play the best of the Christian music charts right now and consistently support our events by advertising for us.

Domino’s – who doesn’t love some consistently good pizza?! Domino’s is another business we work with often, especially at the beginning of the year. Bring your Flames cash – they’re one of the only food trucks that will accept it at BP.

Virginia Army National Guard – defending our freedoms since 1607, the Virginia Army National Guard recognizes the importance of education. They offer many assistance programs to help pay tuition costs so stop by their BP booth and talk to a recruiter to find out more.

Truist – formed by the merger of BB&T and SunTrust, Truist is a financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. In an effort to do just that, Truist will be offering financial advice to students at their BP booth so make sure to stop by.

Bikes Unlimited – a premier bicycle shop in the heart of downtown Lynchburg, Bikes Unlimited is your one stop shop for bike rentals, repairs, and shopping. Get your helmets ready because this year they will be having free bike demos at their BP booth!

So there you have it! See you August 28 for some good coffee, pizza, and amazing attractions!

We are proud to announce that Coca-Cola is the title sponsor for Block Party once again this year! We have partnered with Coke for the past few years at Block Party and are incredibly thankful to continue our relationship with the company.

Did you know that the company was founded in 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia? Today, if you go to Atlanta you will find the World of Coca-Cola. The world of Coca-Cola opened on August 3, 1990 and has grown into a sprawling museum that has welcomed over 24 million guests and counting.

The World of Coca-Cola will take you on an adventure of the five senses. You will be able to walk through Coca-Cola history and visually experience a 3-D film highlighting Coca-Cola’s secret formula. Your ears will experience the sounds of the Coca-Cola bottling plant, and your nose will experience the aromas of different ingredients as you go through Coca-Cola’s “Scent Discovery” experience. Here you will learn how Coca-Cola uses the anatomy of smell to craft their beverages. Lastly, your taste buds will be taken on a global adventure in the “Taste It” exhibit where you will be able to try the different Coca-Cola products from around the world. If you haven’t had enough, at the end of the tour, you are given the chance to take Coca-Cola home with you at their store filled with branded merchandise.

At Student Activities, we are all about crafting immersive experiences for students to remember, similar to what Coca-Cola has created through the World of Coca-Cola! So, grab your friends and join us at Block Party on Saturday, August 28 to sample some Coca-Cola products while you enjoy live music, local food vendors, rides and more!

References: https://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/

Summer is almost over and it’s time to head back to school. While this is a fun transition, it can be intimidating too. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or will be stepping onto campus for the first time, everyone wants to know and be known by people. Maybe you have a super tight friend group, maybe you have some friends that you haven’t kept up with very well, or maybe you don’t know a single soul. No matter where you stand, friendship is important, so I think it’s time we all had a refresher on how to make and keep friends. 

1. Be bold! I don’t know about you, but I am always scared to talk to strangers. Every friendship has to start somewhere though, right? Try complimenting someone you’ve never met before! Or, this may sound creepy, but eavesdrop on the people around you and hop into the conversation: it’s a great way to meet people and an easy transition into conversation. There might be some awkward moments along the way, but just keep in mind that people have short memories. No one is going to remember one weird interaction after a few weeks (maybe even a few hours).
2. Key words: simple and random. You don’t have to plan super fun or big things to have fun times with friends. Some of my favorite memories from college thus far have been card game nights with my friends. The important thing is that you make the time quality; it doesn’t necessarily matter what you do. One of my friends and I grab one grocery store item we’ve been wanting to try and go watch the sunset every other Thursday: random is good! So invite some people to go snack shopping with you, or come to a Bingo Night, go Pokémon Go hunting, learn pickle ball! Whatever you do just make it a good time.
3. Use technology intentionally. We live in the 21^st century; I hate to say it, but technology use with friends is probably necessary. However, with so many people to keep up with, technology can be daunting and make you want to ghost just about everyone. Something that I’ve found helpful is to not have full text-conversations with people you could see face to face. If you want to talk to someone about something and they’re within a 10-mile radius, maybe use your phone to set up a time to hang out. Long distance friendships are a little harder, but if you want to keep that person in your life, it’s a good rule of thumb to at least check in every other week.
4. Learn their language. While it would certainly be a sign of sure friendship to learn a different language for a friend who speaks one, I am talking about learning to speak people’s love languages. I know there are five popular ones, but truly everyone feels loved differently. If you want to be a good friend, learn to show love in the way people want to be shown love rather than in the way you are natural at giving it. This might take a little bit of work and learning, but this is a way to show your friends how much they mean to you.

So, while this is definitely not a complete guide to become the best friend ever or have the most friends ever, these are some helpful tips I’ve learned along the way. Community is so awesome when you find great friends, and even more so when you are a great friend. Good luck out there and happy friending!

 

Written by: Courtney Stone

Courtney is a Business Administration: Digital Marketing and Advertising major. She enjoys writing for the blog as a way to explore relevant topics and grow in written communication.

August’s playlist is brought to you by our supervisors Walker and Courtney! You’ll find a combination of fun upbeat summer songs mixed with a few that are more relaxing and mellow. Enjoy their selections as the summer winds down and you prepare to return to Lynchburg.