By Lexi White
Features Editor
photos | lexi white
Nursing major Joselle Ventosa, a senior, showing off the bouquet she made.
The sweet smell of roses, carnations and baby’s-breath filled the air as students created their own bouquets for Valentine’s Day.
On Feb. 11, the Programs Council, also known as ProCon, hosted a bouquet making event for students. Members of the organization said they wanted to give people an opportunity to show themselves, or their loved ones, some appreciation.
Nursing major Melanie Gloster, a junior, said, “I have been looking forward to hosting this event since last semester because we are giving students the chance to express love for themselves and others.”
When the event started, students lined up all the way down the hallway to participate. Gloster said she did not think there would be an enormous amount of people to show up.
“Oh my goodness, I was so shocked to see a line out the door,” Gloster said. “It made me feel so excited and proud of myself.”
Gloster said numerous students expressed their gratitude for the event.
“I have seen so many people smiling and enjoying themselves today which makes this all worthwhile,” Gloster said. “People have been thanking me for hosting this and giving them the resources to make something so beautiful.”
Eric Lacharity, a ProCon adviser, said they purchased enough materials for 70 people to use and about 125 showed up to participate. Lacharity said ProCon paid about $600 for the flowers and supplies to create the bouquets.
“I think people are always looking for ways to connect with others and our event definitely gives them the opportunity to do so,” Lacharity said. “Students can express their creativity in a way that makes themselves, and others, happy.”
This is the first time ProCon has hosted a bouquet making event. Lacharity said he was very excited to see how students would react to it.
“This week can be very polarizing for a lot of people,” Lacharity said. “People think Valentine’s Day is just about a romantic partner, but it is also for people to celebrate themselves.”
Nursing major Joselle Ventosa, a senior, said she attended ProCon’s event because she wanted to try something new.
“I’ve never made a bouquet before and I thought it would be a fun thing to do,” Ventosa said. “I wanted to challenge myself by getting out of my comfort zone.”
Ventosa also said she does not have a Valentine this year and wanted to make a bouquet for herself.
“You are your own person and that is the most important person in your life,” Ventosa said. “You are the one you can always depend on.”
Biology major Dhruvi Patel, a senior, came to the event to explore her creative side and meet new people.
“It’s nice to see everyone socializing and having a good time here,” Patel said. “Everyone is being productive and making something that will make someone happy.”
In addition to discovering her artistic abilities, Patel said she wanted to show herself some love and appreciation.
“Living on campus can be lonely sometimes and it can be hard to meet people,” Patel said. “Being here I can get myself out there while also giving myself a gift with these flowers.”
Students creating their own bouquets at ProCon’s event.
