Play-Doh and Power Rangers highlight icebreaker event

University students traded in their textbooks for Play-Doh and their pens and pencils for finger-paint Tuesday night during Kindergarten Day, which was hosted by the Russell Fellows in the Russell A/B lounge.

The students were surrounded with different stations aimed at recreating childhood experiences, from dirt pudding with gummy spiders to bubbles and Power Rangers. 

After only a few minutes, the students were running around and chasing each other. They were hopping off the chairs and couches that were set up for the Power Rangers viewing. Students threatened to touch each other with paint-sullied hands.

Freshman Chris Kerwien said the event provided a much-appreciated break from the first few weeks of classes.

"The kids provide a pretty good distraction," Kerwen said.

The event was planned by sophomores Brittany Zane and Gealina Dun.

The new Russell Fellows said they decided to do Kindergarten Day again this year because last year's event was considered a success

Russell Fellows, hired by the Honors Program to live in freshmen dorms, serve as resources that freshmen can utilize as they adjust to college life, and are expected to provide the residents with fun programming

"They're like an RA, but more of a mentor and a social planner," Kerwen said

Zane organized the project, and said she thought people would like the idea since she has frequently seen students indulging in childish pleasures, such as Disney movies

"It's a good study break to go back to when homework was finger-painting," Zane said.

Zane said putting together the event required a shopping trip to get the supplies and setting up the lounge for the different activities. She said students were notified of the event through emails and posters in the residence halls

Dun said the turnout was better than expected. She said she guessed there were approximately 60 people who jammed into the lounge-turned-daycare.

"Usually, if you get 25 people, it's a good event," Dun said.

The organizers of the event encouraged everyone to leave a handprint on a sheet, hoping to leave a lasting image of the event in the lounge.

"Everybody likes to finger-paint sometimes," Dun said. "I think it's a good opportunity for kids to relax and have mindless fun."