OkSOBERfest

By Lisa Elson. 11.01.2007
Carving pumpkins is a common tradition for October, but about 350 UNK students started a new tradition last Friday by attending the second annual OkSOBERfest.

The evening was full of games, prizes, karaoke and awe-inspiring digestive techniques.

"It was an awesome night, I am kind of sad it's all over," Health Education Coordinator Ismael Torres said. "I was so glad that everyone participated in all the night's activities."

"I was impressed with the turnout, not only for a Friday night but also for any night in general," Peer Health Educator Rex Bauer, a senior computer information systems and telecommunications management major from Amherst, Neb. said. "I hope Peer Health Education can build off this year's event and make an even more interesting one next year."

New to OkSOBERfest was UNK Fear Factor. The event consisted of four rounds of edible, but seemingly inedible foods. Eleven contestants started out the event and were gradually eliminated until two were left for the final round.

In order to make it to the final round, Cody Spencer, an English and Japenese major from Cheyenne, Wyo. and Joshua Jones, a sophomore industrial distribution major from Huntley, Neb. devoured edible puke, salty gelatin with sour gummy worms, chocolate mint soup with Little Smokies and mealworms.

The final round was a head-to-head challenge to see who could eat the most mealworms, crickets and ants in the shortest amount of time. Spencer consumed the most bugs and took home a new iPod Nano as his prize.

Sophomore Peer Health Educator Janae Nienhueser a physical education and sports administration major from York, Neb. said, "I helped make everything for the event and felt sick to my stomach just making it. These guys actually ate all the stuff and were fine. They acted like it was nothing at all. What a bunch of champs."

The Peer Health Educators put in a lot of time preparing for the event. All the food for Fear Factor was prepared based on ideas from the educators.

"I think people had a lot of fun participating and watching it," Lynda Tran a sophomore Peer Health Educator majoring in psychobiology from Lincoln, Neb. said. "It took a lot of time to plan and organize the event because so many little details must be taken care of ahead of time so the actual event could run smoothly."

Josh Bauer, a sophomore Peer Health Educator majoring in Biology from Amherst said, "The Fear Factor competition was much more competitive than expected, which was awesome. I never would've guessed that people would eat that kind of stuff for an iPod Nano.

The Peer Health Educators were happy with the turnout of the Fear Factor event and plan to keep it on the agenda for OkSOBERfest 2008.

"I think we will need to make it a lot harder because obviously UNK students weren't grossed out enough this year," Nienhueser said.

"It was great to see so many students willing to partake in Fear Factor, I guess next year we'll have to make it a little more slimy and gross," Torres said.

A total of ten Peer Health Educators and approximately 20 volunteers from GAMMA, UNK Counseling and Health Care and other organizations on campus were responsible for making OkSOBERfest happen.

"We're very lucky to have so many volunteers from GAMMA, and other supporting organizations. I hope we can do even better and bring more students for next year," Tran said.

The ten Peer Health Educators were responsible for planning and organizing the event.

"All of the credit for this event goes to all of the Peer Health Educators. They dedicated their time and energy into making this all happen and it showed by how the event turned out," Torres said.

Students in attendance had the opportunity to register to win a Nintendo Wii after completing an alcohol use survey from Counseling and Health Care. The results of alcohol screenings are used as tools for students' own personal knowledge of their alcohol use.

Will Jackson, a sophomore business major from St. Paul, Neb. was the winner of the Nintendo Wii. Jackson also won the prize for best individual costume for his Capitol One Viking costume. Jackson participated in the Fear Factor competition but was eliminated after the second round.

"I don't play video games so I sold it and bought a season pass to the Loveland Ski Resort where I will be snowboarding all winter long," Jackson said.

Throughout the night, students were able to play Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero II, Duck Hunt, Mario Kart and various table poker games.

The winners of both the Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero II competitions took home the game as a prize. Ty Cobb a sophomore from McCook, Neb. majoring in music education, won the Dance Dance Revolution competition and Sandy Clark, a freshman from Loup City, Neb. majoring in social work won the Guitar Hero II competition.

"I think the event went extremely well. Everyone in attendance surely had a good time." Nienhueser said.

OkSOBERfest is designed to encourage students to partake in a night of alcohol-free fun. Officer Derek Luke from Kearney Police Department conducted mock sobriety tests with students wearing beer goggles. Students also attempted to play catch with simulated drinking-impaired vision.

"OkSOBERfest was a wonderful way for other students to make new friends and have a good time," Jackson said. "I will definitely be going next year and I hope everybody else does the same."

Everyone in attendance was required to wear a wristband and keep track of the number of drinks they consumed. At the end of the night, Blood Alcohol Level charts were available for students to determine what their level of intoxication would be, if they were actually consuming alcoholic beverages.

"I would like to see more events like this in the future," Criss Salinas, a junior Spanish education major from Schuyler, Neb. said. "I think it would help encourage more students not to drink."

Root beer from Thunderhead Brewery of Kearney was available for students to enjoy in their souvenir OkSOBERfest glasses and Chartwells served hot wings and pizza.

"I thought the night was a big success. We had a great turnout," Josh Bauer said.