Washburn students get their party on at PaintU party event, the evidence of the party’s festivities was displayed on many students’ clothing.
On Aug. 23, 2023 the Campus Activity Board and the Interfraternity Council hosted a PaintU dance party on the East Memorial Union Lawn starting at 8:30 p.m.
Megan Dorantes, senior public administrations major and director of Cultural Programs, helped put this event together. Dorantes emphasized the goals for this event.
“Our goal is marketing and to get more students involved in CAB and Greek life,” Dorantes said. “Ultimately, we want students to have fun.”
The event featured a stage with speakers and a turn table where their DJ played a wide range of music, but mostly 2000’s throwbacks. Students gathered in front of the stage dancing and singing along to the music while being drenched in glow-in-the-dark neon paint from paint blasters. Glow sticks and ice cream were also provided.
Makaela Lewis, junior social work major, was one of the students who attended this event with her friends. Lewis heard about the event from flyers posted around the school and decided to attend for the dance party aspect.
“It’s good to see students coming together,” Lewis said. “The energy is high and you can tell people are excited to be here.”
Students continued to show up throughout the event and many stayed from start to finish. Dorantes was pleased with the turnout and attendance.
“I’m really excited about how this event turned out,” Dorantes said. “Although I don’t know the exact number of students here, I can tell that this was a good event.”
Buckets and tubes of neon green, yellow, blue and pink paint continued to be projected into the audience frequently. At times the workers even left the stage to bring the paint directly into the crowd, assuring that all students participating would leave with clothing that needed to hit the washing machines. A paint-free zone was also provided for students who didn’t want to be sprayed with paint.
Concluding the event, Lewis reflected on her favorite part of the PaintU party.
“Definitely watching people get sprayed with the paint,” Lewis said. “It’s been funny to see.”
The event ended at 10 p.m.
Edited by Larissa Morgan and Aja Carter
