By Alyssa Schuyler, Lions’ Pride Staff Writer
Love week began on Monday, Feb. 21, and wrapped up on Friday, Feb. 25. The week was an opportunity to live by the Saint Leo core values, have a little fun, and spread some love to everyone on campus. The week was supported by Saint Leo Student Government Executive Board.
“The goal of Love Week was to make the students feel more a part of our community,” said junior Amanda Cassar.
Promoting the activities for Love Week was simple. The activities were posted on the large calendars in residence halls, multiple emails were sent out, and signs were posted around campus and on every floor of the residence halls. Love Week also became an official event on Facebook. There were invitations sent via Facebook and the event was made public so those who weren’t officially invited could add Love Week to their events, and those who didn’t create the event could even send out invitations to people who may not have gotten one. On the Love Week’s Facebook event students could see what events were occurring related to Love Week, and also when and where they would take place.
“Facebook was a good tool to give people a reminder,” said Cassar.
The week began with a showing of the movie “The Blindside” accompanied by free snacks. Tuesday there was a missionary speaker named Paul Devine in the Selby Auditorium. Also, Tuesday was free hug day. People wore t-shirts with the words “FREE HUGS” on them and roamed the school to spread some goodwill to other students.
“Free hug Day was a really cool experience because it really helped people open up. It gave us an excuse to go out of our way for others and hugging random students sparked some brief conversations and a lot of smiles. I found myself smiling all day and really getting into the love week spirit! This would definitely be something I would love to do again next year!” said freshman Dominique Rodriguez.
Wednesday was a free cookie day in the Student Activities Building. Thursday evening was the softball home opener and accompanying the Lions softball team was free ice cream for those who attended. It was also staff appreciation day. Staff members also received free ice cream. Friday wrapped up the official Love Week with a performance by Colleen McCarron Nixon and a barbecue with free turkey legs, cotton candy, and funnel fries. The Campus Activities Board was also there to promote Spring Fling with free bubbles and other goodies for students who attended.
“I think that this week was a great representation of the ultimate unwritten Saint Leo core value, which is love. In order to achieve all of the other Benedictine core values, I feel we need to show and feel a lot of love! It was a wonderful week; SGU did a great job!” said sophomore Mandy Altu.
The inspiration for Love Week came about from an Executive Board Meeting, more commonly called the e-board. The members wanted the student body, faculty members, and staff members to feel a community atmosphere on campus. Planning began after members of the e-board decided that an event like this was necessary.
Love Week was made a possibility by many people. Everyone on campus contributed to the community feeling but those who were working behind the scenes were the Student Government Executive Board, Student Services, and Dining Services.
Love Week was a first for Saint Leo this year.
“This E-board hopes that Love Week will be a yearly event. But we also hope that the next E-board addresses the issues of the students as they come to them,” said Cassar.
The Executive Board hopes that every week is Love Week and that the love that students, faculty, and staff have for each other can be spread throughout this campus.
