Abelina J. Nuñez
Arts Editor
The University of La Verne Campus Activities Board hosted an early Valentine’s Day event, Pal-entine Pitstop, where students came together with their friends and met new people. More than 150 students attended the event located at the University Quad on Monday.
Pal-entine Pitstop had arts and crafts where students could create their own vases by adding artificial flowers and painting them with their own choice of colors.
“Kennadie, who is the (CAB) publicity chair, decided to do an event to get people together, especially (on a day) like Valentine’s Day,” Analise Espinoza, CAB Film Chair and sophomore business admin major, said. “There’s cute pink jackets, and then you could also do a de-stressor and get some vases and make a little flower bouquet for Valentine’s Day.”
Students were able to take photos in the photo booth with their friends or by themselves with props like hats, glasses, and a sign that they could hold. The CAB event also had raffles where three students could have a chance to win a $50 UberEats gift card, $50 Amazon gift card, or a $100 Nike gift card.
“It was fun, cute, very positive, and it was nice to see everybody kind of together in one place on campus because I don’t spend that much time on campus anymore, so it’s taking me back to, like, my freshman year,” Ayesha Faruki, senior kinesiology major, said.
She said she came with a group of friends she knew before her freshman year started and has been friends for almost four years.
Faruki said she was in lecture that morning and heard various people talking about the event and realized she was a senior and had yet to attend an event, so she decided to go to her first CAB event.
“Definitely (attended another event), whatever I can find,” she said. “I’m going (to) do it because this is my last chance.”
While students were either getting their free attire, taking photos at the photo booth, or creating their vases while CAB played music that was a mix of R&B and Pop Love Songs.
“It’s a great way to bond with some friends or even make some new friends,” Jonathan Saldivar, sophomore kinesiology major, said. “I came with some friends. It was caring and considerate that they’re giving away nice vase flowers.”
The event also had a giveaway of a pink crewneck that said “La Verne” with a leopard underneath and a green “Straight Out of La Verne” cap.
“I recommend people to come because they have so many activities,” Jacqueline Silva Ochoa, sophomore accounting major, said. “The way that they have the tables (set up) helps you socialize (with) other people you don’t even know.”
Silva Ochoa said the event was cute since it was connected to Valentine’s Day and could take pictures with friends and partners. She said she enjoyed making her own vase becauseof her love of flowers and nature.
“As spirit chair, my job is to build school spirit, so I think that having these two little events where they have giveaways, it’s very easy to make new friends and meet new people just because you’re in the same area together and you guys have a common interest,” Alaa Shilleh, CAB spirit chair, and freshman biology major, said.
Espinoza said the event had a good turnout because many students attended the event, and the Pal-entine Pitstop was one of her favorite events this year.
Abelina J. Nuñez can be reached at abelina.nunez@laverne.edu.
Abelina J. Nuñez, a junior journalism major, is arts editor for the Campus Times and a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. She has previous served as LV Life editor, social media editor and staff writer.
