By: Vanessa Alcala
Ariel Anderson, University Programming Board (UPB) volunteer, smiles as she prepares beads to create a bracelet. This was a part of the “Bracelets and Brew” event held on Jan. 22 at the Russell Union Rotunda.
A collection of beads lay out on the table for students to choose from. The event had a collection of colored beads, silver charms and more.
A student carefully chooses charms to add to her bracelet. All attendees were encouraged to take their time creating their bracelet.
A line of students grows longer as they move through the bracelet-making station. Each student started by choosing what color string they wanted before choosing the beads.
Janaya Williamson makes a tough decision on which color to choose. After picking out some charms, she was stuck between a few options.
Along with the vintage-esque beads, the event also showcased letter charms and classic friendship bracelet beads.
Showing off her other handmade bracelets, a student carefully chooses a bead to add to her bracelet.
As she organized the beads in her hand, a student attendee looked for another bead to add.
The UPB team allows students to choose the classic letter beads to mimic the classic style. Students were talking about how it was reminiscent of their childhood.
Amaya Durden, UPB student volunteer, serves up hot chocolate for a student. The event had a coffee, tea and hot chocolate bar for attendees to enjoy.
Ta’Lonie James, UPB student volunteer, exchanges conversation with students before they begin putting their bracelets together. All UPB volunteers worked the event with a smile, ready to assist students as needed.
Stirrers and marshmallows sit on the table as students make their hot chocolate. UPB says that their most popular events typically have drinks at them.
Amaya Durden, UPB student volunteer, helps a student prepare her tea. Durden showed the student the tea options, such as green tea, Earl Grey tea, and more.
Adriana Rafanelli, UPB student volunteer, works the event check-in table, where students tap their digital Eagle ID for attendance. UPB tracks data for all events by having students check in, so they can see which events are performing well.
Aaliyah Tourgee, a student here at Georgia Southern, carefully places the beads along the string, maintaining strong focus. This isn’t her first UPB event, but she says that it’s her favorite so far.
Aaliyah Tourgee’s bracelet beads scatter across her station as she prepares to place them on the string. She stayed focused as she switched between sipping her hot chocolate and creating her bracelet.
Hannah Tran is visiting Tourgee for the weekend, and she tagged along for the event. She chose to have Earl Grey tea as her drink, and she found this event to be fun and relaxing.
Tran shows her new bracelet to Tourgee before offering to help with hers. Tourgee complimented her work and then continued a conversation about how their days were going.
Students came back through the line with the chance to make a second bracelet, as long as supplies lasted.
