Maggie Mordecai
Contributing Writer
The sun beamed down on Gleeson Plaza on Tuesday, Mar. 25, as students enjoyed a day of relaxation. Students were invited to let loose and have fun with carnival and educational games, massages and various other activities at USF’s annual Stress Less Day.
“I love that we get to play games and win cute prizes,” said Raquel Rushing, a senior sociology major. “I was able to win a stuffed animal, and my friend won a stuffed dinosaur that made sounds.”
Emiko Uohara, a sophomore chemistry major who is a sustainability specialist for the Office of Sustainability, said, “We’ve been planning this sustainability spectacle […] to teach people about environmental advocacy.” The table was prepped with a cardboard ring toss game, educating students on different kinds of waste. “Students get to learn and have fun at the same time, which is a great part of this event.”
The games spread across Gleeson Plaza were just the beginning of the fun. A brightly colored bounce house invited every student to jump their stress away. Danielle Quitasol, senior advertising major, spent a lot of her time bouncing around. “The bouncy house was dope and made me feel less stressed,” she said. “We don’t get to bounce like that as adults as much as we should.”
Students expressed themselves with arts and crafts.“They had some small blank pots where you could paint them with paint pens they had set up,” said Ximena Villa Ibarra, a freshman international studies major. “After you were done, you could pick a succulent from their selection to put in the painted pot and take home.”
“Getting to make my own teabag was very cool. I love drinking tea and had never made one before.” Quitasol said.
The furry friends were one of the most popular parts of the event. “I loved the therapy dogs, who doesn’t love animals?” said senior marketing major Chloe Peissner. “They were so adorable, and they were dressed up in glasses and cute accessories, which was so much fun.”
It was hard to miss the sound of laughter and bright smiles as students swarmed the event. “I was honestly stressing less during this event,” said Quitasol. “It’s important to do things that bring out our inner child more often.”
“We dedicate a lot of our time to homework and classes, so having games, prizes, and attractions dedicated to us is nice,” Peissner said.
“I think this event brought a sense of community to campus, especially since people are constantly sitting on the grass but never really interacting with each other. I saw faces I knew and saw on the grass every week, but never said hi to them because I’m in my own world.” Rushing added. “This event offered a little pause in time where I could finally say hello and catch up. I think it was absolutely beautiful.”
Health Promotion Services, Off-Campus Living, the Division of Student Life, and the Office of Sustainability sponsored this event so students could take time to relax as the end of school nears.
Editor-in-Chief: Jordan Premmer, Chief Copy Editor: Sophia McCrackin, Managing Editor: Jordan DelFiugo, Opinion Editor: Dakota Duran, Scene Editor: Elina Graham
