Members of McConnel Hall participate in a stretcher race during Hall Olympics on the lawn in front of Theophilus Tower on Tuesday to celebrate RHA God Damned Independence Week. Jake Barber/Argonaut

GDI Week brings independent living students together

This year’s “Gosh Darn Independence Week” aimed at increasing unity among the residence halls. The theme  was centered around a “showcase to demonstrate our enthusiasm, individuality, but yet an idea that we are unified as a group,” said Residence Hall Association Events Coordinator Steve Hanna. “This week was meant for the dorm students who want to get together, and celebrate where they live, and who they live with. It is like Greek Week, but for the dorms. It really is a lot of fun.”
With shirt sales at 400, attendance was at record numbers.

The activities started Monday with a Kickoff Party in the Wallace Basement. There was a bowling alley, a Nerf Gun fight in the hallway, ping-pong under the spotlight, four square games, poker, Twister, and music.
“The dancing was thumping,” Hanna said. “We could hear the music from two floors up. Also, we had each hall make flags to represent themselves as our theme,” Hanna said.
Participants later voted on a winner as an event as well.

Hanna said the four square game was intense. Tuesday brought even more festivities on the Theophilus Tower Lawn. 
The event featured “Hall Olympics” with wheelbarrow races and a “Survivor”-style game. There was also a pickle shot put, plunger javelin, “Circle of Doom” (pushing teams out of PVC piping circles), a pop culture quiz, “Slip n’ Slide” bobsledding, “Slip n’ Slide” tug of war, and a flag relay.
“We had everyone group up together in rows, so the racers ended up having only one hand on the ground to move,” Hanna said. “There was like 100 people lined up. It was almost like Braveheart.”
“Dodge ball in the Dark” was also offered.

The dodge balls were painted with glow in the dark paint. Teams were identifiable by glow jewelry.
There are some activities reserved for today, the first incorporating the presidential
campaign.

Students can meet at Bob’s in the Wallace Complex at 6 p.m. to watch the U.S. presidential debate. Individuals are encouraged to try Barack Obama’s or John McCain’s favorite dinner,  which will be served. 
There will be capture the flag from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on the Tower Lawn. More than 80 people participated last year, and there are high hopes to increase that number.
“I really hope we can have
upward of 200 people,” Hanna said, “maybe even 300.”

Hanna said the energy of the crowd has been notable.
“It has been a great showcase of enthusiasm and individuality,” he said, “All the while, it unifies us together as a residence group.”
For community service, the RHA group put together a blood drive at the beginning of the week. The funding for the RHA events comes from a little portion of residence hall fees.
“I am really glad for the turn out we have had so far,” Hanna said.

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