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Morningside Activities Counsel Hosts Annual Homecoming Bingo

Feelings Before Morningside Homecoming Bingo Event:

Before the night of the homecoming bingo event, I conducted a couple interviews about people’s feelings towards it. 

Monica Olson, a senior Mornignside student, has attended homecoming bingo all three years of her university life. She plans to attend again this year. Monica expressed her frustration when she found out that bingo was going to be held in Yockey instead of the Eppley Auditorium. “I like Eppley better. Yockey is just too crowded.” She took a second to think and then stated. “At least last year they put the chairs in rows instead of around tables. The tables really didn’t work” 

Monica stated that she is excited for food and card game prizes. “Gift cards would be cool to have, I feel like they haven’t really done gift cards.” she added.

After seeing the sneak peak of prizes, Monica thought the pens and food looked like good prizes. She mentioned that some of the card games were the same as they have had in previous years, which she seemed slightly disappointed by. 

Tru Brittain, a second year student, also attended homecoming bingo last year. She stated that she did not win anything. “It’s rigged.” She said out of anger. When I asked her why she thought that, she admitted she was just upset that she never seems to win at previous bingo events. 

 “I’m looking forward to seeing the prizes. I hope they have food and caffeine. I just hope I win the big prize this year. I need a TV so I can watch The Bachelor.” Tru stated.

Event: 

Students started filing into The Yockey Family Community Room in Morningside’s Olsen Student Center around 7:30pm on Wednesday the 4th of October, 2023. Bingo was set to start at 8:00. Students perused the prize tables and gawked at the grand prizes: a television, a coffee maker with coffee products, and an electric record player. 

Other prizes included stuffed animals, disco balls, gatorade, homemade chocolate covered pretzels, and even a gluten free section for gluten free students. The gluten free section was a new addition to the prize table and received a round of applause when it was announced. 

Bingo caller, Javonte Madsen, was prompt and started calling numbers shortly after 8:00. Emotions were high, but the crowd seemed overall excited. First, tier one prizes were won by having five numbers in a row covered on a card. Tier two prizes were won in the second round by covering numbers in the shape of an M on players bingo cards. 

Feelings After

“It was more eventful than bingo last year. My roommate and I were hoping for room decorations and we got some good stuff.” Tru described the overall vibe of the event as chaotic, but good. “I think people were happy with their results.” she stated. 

Monica attended bingo and recapped the night afterwards. “I liked the prizes, and I liked how they had multiple of some things so multiple people had a chance to win it. I liked the gluten free options so that people with celiacs had a treat they could win.” Monica mentioned that it got loud at times, but it was not uncontrollable. “It was funny when a student got a bingo on O 69 and everyone cheered.” The student responded to the positive reaction by standing in front of the audience and yelling “I am god.” while raising his arms in the air. 

Tru had a comment on the student as well, “The situation was really funny. The quick response was perfect. He should be a comedian.” She said recalling the event.

Monica won frosted pretzels and laundry beads. She mentioned she was content with both prizes.