The female resident assistants of Young Hall, a dormitory at Point Loma Nazarene University, hosted “Young Galentine’s” for the building’s annual Valentine’s Day event. Students fled into the kitchen for snacks, beverages and crafts on Feb. 12. from 4:30-6:30 p.m. While many PLNU events are put on in residence halls around campus throughout the year, this Young Hall event is put on every year.
Kelsey Manson, a third-year nursing major and Young Hall resident, attended the Galentine’s event.
“I knew that the RAs [resident assistants] put on great events, but there was something different in the air when I walked into the kitchen for the Galentine’s,” Manson said. “I don’t know what it was, maybe it was just all girls coming together for Valentine’s Day, but there was a whole lot of love in the room, and you could definitely feel it. ”
Manson said her experience at the event was more enjoyable than previous events because of the genuine conversations that went on as the girls made Valentine’s Day crafts and love notes.
Georgia Westgate, a fourth-year child development major and Young Hall RA who helped plan the event, said that the community was at the heart of their intention in the planning.
“I am always a part of the planning for every [Young] Hall event, but the Galentine’s event in particular was my favorite to plan by far,” Westgate said. “I think our intentions behind it was not only to do a fun girls’ event but also to create a safe and welcoming space for those underclassmen looking for friends and community.”
According to Westgate, she got to see many girls meet and make friends at the event, which brought her joy knowing that was the team’s ultimate goal.
“I just wish more people came to the events, especially the all-girls events because it is such a great way to get to know the people you live with,” Westgate said. “I just hate hearing about those who feel isolated in their dorms and I just want them to know they are welcomed and can feel safe at events like this.”
Emma Leggio, a second-year nursing major and Young Hall resident, said she came to the event for sweet treats and crafts and found herself impressed by the way RAs organized it.
“When I went I thought I was just going to make a card and leave, but I ended up meeting a few really sweet girls, which was a really great surprise I wasn’t expecting,” Leggio said.
Kendall Gray, a fourth-year education major and Young Hall RA, helped Westgate with the event planning.
“What people don’t realize most of the time behind our events like this, is that we literally plan them for those students who are having a hard time trying to find community,” Gray said. “We put so much effort into our events so that they are super fun and there is still a deficit on campus of not enough people coming to hall events.”
To stay up to date on hall events, look out for emails from your resident director.
Tessa Balc