By Lexi White
Features Editor
Psychology major Evelyn Valenzuela, a sophomore and business administration major Jennifer Perez Cerna, a junior, showing off the prize they won while playing Kahoot at the event.
Students embraced their inner child at the Hello Kitty themed event. Those who attended played games, ate free snacks and received fun character-themed prizes.
The Programs Council, ProCon, hosted the Hello Kitty event in the Adanti Student Center on April 8. ProCon programmer healthcare studies major Samia Jimenez, a freshman, said she was excited to see everyone come together and enjoy the afternoon.
“We wanted to host an enjoyable event because I feel like students are clocked out at this point in the semester,” Jimenez said. “We want students to relax and have fun.”
Jimenez is a member of the daytime programming committee for ProCon. She said she enjoyed organizing the event.
“We wanted to give students the chance to take a break from their schoolwork and have a good time,” Jimenez said.
There were new and familiar faces at the Hello Kitty event. Jimenez said she was happy her event was getting noticed by students.
“It’s so awesome to see everyone getting along, whether they be regulars at our events, or someone we haven’t met before,” Jimenez said. “It feels amazing that our organization is respected.”
Hello Kitty is a character Jimenez has adored since childhood, but she said she became more of a fan in recent years.
“There’s been a Hello Kitty frenzy the past couple years and I love seeing everybody healing their inner child through her,” Jimenez said. “This event is bringing everyone with a similar interest together and it makes me happy.”
Nursing major Mercies Owusu, a freshman, said she came to the event because she wanted to feel a sense of nostalgia.
“I love cutesy things, especially Hello Kitty,” Owusu said. “There’s this innocence of living through my inner child and it’s really comforting.”
ProCon gave students Hello Kitty themed slime, charm bracelet making kits, candy, facemasks and chapstick.
“Even though I didn’t win a prize with any of the games, I still got all these cool things,” Owusu said. “I definitely love the slime the most.”
Another big fan of the slime provided by ProCon was general studies major Sabrine Yaser, a junior. She said she was happy to come to the event after her classes.
“I love playing with slime because it relaxes me,” Yaser said. “It’s nice to bond with other people who love Hello Kitty as much as I do.”
Yaser said she did not know what to expect from the event. She said she was surprised to have such a good time.
“I didn’t know that I would be getting a goodie bag and playing fun games,” Yaser said. “I’m glad I came because I’m having so much fun right now.”
Like Yaser, elementary education major Mia Rios, a junior, said she also was happy to be around people with the same interests.
“I originally came for the free food and goodies, but I’m actually having a great time playing the games and making this bracelet,” Rios said.
With all the excitement and nostalgia students had at the Hello Kitty event, Jimenez said she knew they did a good job.
“I feel like people feel forced to grow up, but it’s important to have fun and do things that make you happy,” Jimenez said.
