By: Brianna Wallen
Editor-in-Chief
With pumpkins waiting to be carved, festive music filling the air and the smell of Wingstop nearby, WSIN Radio brought a little autumn magic to the Buley Patio on Oct. 20.
The student-run radio station hosted its pumpkin smash and pumpkin carving event at 5 p.m., inviting students to take a break from classes, embrace the fall season and spend time with their campus community.
“I wanted to celebrate fall, get people, get the radio station some awareness,” communication major Gerryiki Williams, a senior and general manager of WSIN, said. “Just to be out and in the open instead of on the second floor of the Student Center, kind of hidden.”
Guests were provided with pumpkins to decorate and carve while enjoying fall treats and music in the crisp October air.
The event was part of WSIN’s effort to become more visible on campus and encourage students to get involved with the station.
For a change, WSIN traded playing smashing pumpkins on the radio for smashing pumpkins in real life, turning its usual connection to music into a hands-on fall activity.
Sociology major Nailah Herbert, a senior and secretary of WSIN, said the idea emerged during an executive board meeting as members discussed possible events for October.
“We were like, it’ll be fun to actually create something since that’s kind of what our club is about, just creativity, music, and all that other things,” Herbert said.
For Herbert, the goal extended far beyond pumpkin carving or smashing.
“I hope students enjoy each other’s company, listen to music and just be able to tap into the radio and kind of what we have going on,” Herbert said.
Art and design major Kaiya Bryant, a senior and music director of WSIN, said that the station has recently focused on creating more community through events that encourage students to participate.
“We’re kind of having events back-to-back, and we’re lucky that it’s a very festive time of the year,” Bryant said.
The gathering also helped promote WSIN’s upcoming concert, where bands were scheduled to perform.
“We thought this would be a nice precursor and a way to advertise the concert,” Bryant said.
Bryant also embraced the opportunity to celebrate her favorite season.
“The wind is just right. The breeze. The air. The leaves. Oh, I love it! I love it! I love it!” Bryant said.
For Williams, however, one of the most meaningful parts of hosting events is seeing members return and reconnect as the semester progresses.
“I love seeing the general members come back,” Williams said. “You know how it kind of thins down towards the middle of the semester. Everyone comes back to do a little something and just get back together.”
For accounting major Jayden Newell-Kemp, a senior, the timing of the event made it perfect for the season.
“It felt very fitting for the time and the weather was perfect,” Newell-Kemp said.
Newell-Kemp as well as other attendees got to create their own seasonal masterpieces.
“My pumpkin is going in front of my door as a Resident Adviser, so I can get my residents in the spirit,” Newell-Kemp said.
With pumpkins in hand and music setting the mood, WSIN Radio turned an ordinary October evening into a celebration of creativity and connection with “WSIN Pumpkin Smash.”
This served as a reminder for students that sometimes the best way to enjoy fall is simply to show up, make something and share the moment with others.
