Mackenzie McGrath, Campus Carrier asst. arts and living editor
As finals week looms ever closer, stress levels soar and students are often left feeling overwhelmed. The Krannert Center Activities Board (KCAB) aims to combat this with a vibrant, student-driven event Finals Fest. This year, they aim to include student involvement into this event even more than they have in the past with the inclusion of student performers.
“Finals Fest is one of the big events in the spring semester, it is taking place on April 26th this year it’ll be from 3-7 pm. It’s typically held outside in a small festival type feel with activities and food,” Brittani Farmer, KCAB director of student involvement, said. “We’ve done performances as part of the event, the whole time that it’s existed and that’s looked a little different whether we bring in multiple bands or artists.”
In regards to performances, this year is looking a bit different with the inclusion of student performers, who used to be a big part of the event.
“This year, we have implemented student performances into our Finals Fest plans and in order to decide which students will perform, we are having an open audition night” Gabby Cruz, sophomore KCAB event manager, said.
Any student from around campus is welcome to audition for a performance spot during Finals Fest and the KCAB representatives will be in charge of judging. Auditions will be held in the Krannert Ballroom on Feb 5th from 7 to 9 p.m. Any musical talent is able to be showcased at the event, including singing, DJs, guitar and even band instruments such as saxophone. Performers are limited to either a six minute set or, for singers, one song. After auditions are over, KCAB will reach out to the most liked or best performers and invite them to perform at Finals Fest.
A student-led event for students is what KCAB is known campus-wide for. The representatives of this organization have been working hard for the entirety of this school year to listen to student feedback and come back even better than before. They are focused on showing the Berry College student body that their voice in what they get to experience on campus is not only heard but celebrated. The student’s work can be seen anywhere from Krannert pop-up events such as Back to Berry Brunch or the upcoming Koffee House, to their bigger events like their Krannert Underground speakeasy experience. The KCAB mission is to foster and empower student creativity, and turn moments into life-long memories.
“I feel like our events really are for students, but we do encourage people to bring in their friends who might be off campus or staff” Emily Adame, senior KCAB director, said, “Finals Fest is just clearly focused on us, because that’s where we get to have a whole bunch of fun. It’s the end of the whole academic year, so it’s really focused on students, we just enjoy food, activities, inflatables, and music.”
A study by Science Direct found that stress-reduction activities, such as the events that KCAB provides, can significantly lower students’ perceived stress levels during finals week. In one study, over 70 percent of students who participated in fun, stress-relieving activities reported feeling less stressed and more emotionally supported than those who didn’t engage in such events.
“I believe that this is important because many students’ greatest accomplishments don’t come in the form of grades, particularly around finals time when stress is high” Cruz said, “For some, it may be the journey they have been on through music, and it is important to showcase that as well.”
Having student performers at a student-led function is something that is essential to creating a supportive atmosphere. In the past, KCAB has brought in outside acts to perform at events like this. While that is okay, most participants in these past events have found these performers almost stale or unauthentic. Not because of their performance ability, but because it begs the question, ‘What do these performers know about what we’re going through?’ With student performers, the audience is able to feel more connected to them and will be more engaged in the talents that they have to share.
“I think we have a really talented group of students at Berry, and if we have the opportunity for them to showcase some of their talents and give them the experience of performing on a stage, getting in front of their peers,” Farmer said. “I think it’s really important.”
The students and representatives working with KCAB are hoping that this event will create a positive view of their organization through all students. To be seen as people who are there to listen to your feedback and put on exciting events.
“I’m hoping that they see us as not a place, but people who understand what people want. I really want it to create that space for people who do want to show off their talent” Adame said.
The representatives of KCAB are excited to see the impact that the inclusion of student performers has on, not just the performer chosen, but the Berry community entirely.
“Following auditions, we hope that the student body sees we do truly care about their input” Cruz said, “We also hope that this gets them excited about Finals Fest and our other upcoming events, like Casino Night and formal. Following Finals Fest, we hope that the student body is excited for our events in the coming years and views KCAB and our events as something to look forward to.”
Students are able to help out with these funcions even if they don’t work for KCAB.
“If students are interested in being able to be a closer part of our events, they can join our volunteer organization KREW” Cruz said. “KREW works directly with the board to generate ideas, plan and work events. It is a fun way to get involved without having the commitment of a job. Meetings are every other Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and we will have the next one on Feb. 4th.”
Through an event like Finals Fest or Casino Night, KCAB hopes that they are more than a poster that someone passes on their way to Viking Court, but a place where everyone is always welcome. Their organization is committed to creating a home away from home for all students, a place that is always open to them and what they have to say. Finals Fest is a great way to bring students out of their studying slump and into a place where they can let go and celebrate the end of the semester they worked so hard to complete.