By Sarah Davis | Echo
The upcoming beach bash is an opportunity for the Taylor community to celebrate summer's approach and semester's end. This year's spring dance includes a pre-party open to both students and faculty.
"We planned the event for May 15, which is the last day of dead week when all schoolwork is done," said junior Danielle Spoutz, president of the Dances and Special Events Committee (DSEC). "The goal is to bring everyone together for a fun time before students have to really start studying for finals."
The bash starts by Taylor lake at 5:30 p.m., with bounce houses, a slip and slide, a volleyball tournament and the cardboard boat regatta.
But instead of just having another event for students, DSEC and the Student Activities Council (SAC) are intentionally involving the community as well. Taylor faculty members are invited to attend, in the hopes that the event will feel more like a block party than a rave.
"We want to have children of professors in the bounce houses and staff members on volleyball teams," Spoutz said. "It's geared toward students, but it's also a way to involve the entire Taylor family."
The volleyball tournament is a competition for gift cards to the Abbey Coffee Co. and The Bridge Café. Wings and floors are encouraged to form teams for the cardboard boat regatta, and the first place team wins a pizza party.
"The best part is everything is free," said senior and President of SAC Hailey Whitaker. "There is no ticket price or cost for tournaments. We just want people to come and have fun."
A dance for students will end the night, starting at 8:30 p.m. Spoutz and Whitaker both said many of their dreams for the event came true because of help from Taylor Student Organization (TSO) and their collaborating cabinets.
Foam machines are one of those dreams coming true. They will surround the dance floor and cover everyone in suds.
"My favorite part of this event has been brainstorming," Spoutz said. "We had so many ideas at the beginning and it's really cool to see everything coming together."
The two cabinets view this event as a fun way to serve the Taylor community one more time before summer.
"We've been working on the beach bash since January, so we're looking forward to revealing our work and seeing everyone there," Whitaker said. "We really value well-done events and love when these events can bring people together"
