The Plaza at Valencia College’s Poinciana Campus hosted a double event to celebrate its annual “Fall Festival” and National Day of Writing on November 7.
The event held in the Learning Support Center ran from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Students were encouraged to dress in their best cozy and autumnal wear to receive warm beverages and the opportunity to take part in a raffle through playing games related to writing and literature.
Held at the Plaza, the events combined the Learning Support’s annual Fall Festival, initially cancelled due to the recent hurricane, and National Day of Writing into one event available for students.
The Learning Support Center is available to students all semester long to provide tutoring and writing support.
Helen O’Connor, Writing Support Supervisor, explained, “To earn tickets for our raffle that includes a Stanley Cup, a calligraphy set and a Black Cat Plushie, we have eight stations with games. We also have a fall-themed picture booth opportunity where students can take pictures with their friends and post on social media using our hashtag to earn tickets that way as well.”
Upon entering, students were greeted by Learning Support staff and volunteers serving hot chocolate, chai lattes and coffee. Students were also able to customize the beverages of their choice with seasonal flavors like peppermint and pumpkin and flavored whip creams.
Students could play a game of taboo, scrabble, literary Jenga, design their own album and cover with tracks related to their life and write haikus, poems, or short stories with labeled die with different prompts an idea for inspiration.
Another booth included a “create-your-own-ending” where students like Psychology major Nelson Guzman could create their own ending to popular movies like “The Dark Knight” and “Twilight.”
Guzman said, “I was excited to see the event, I heard there were free drinks like coffee and a writing event to change the end of a story. It’s a cool way for you to socialize and meet people with similar interest and make friends.”
Although Learning Support centers are available across all campuses, Poinciana’s is unique in its small nature that fosters an intimate environment for students to receive tutoring and connect with friends and advisors according to Paul Grizelle-Reid, an aspiring English major.
“I come here almost every day to study. The staff is very helpful, friendly, and professional, always ready to help. This is a place where students feel they belong and a place to feel at home,” Grizelle-Reid continued. “Everyone here is so involved, even on days off. Today for the event, it’s the busiest I have ever seen it.”
The Learning Support Center hosts various events throughout the year including math events, game competitions, MLA writing workshops and more recently, a Halloween party.
“It doesn’t feel like a big college sometimes, it feels like a place where you can see your friends and family to socialize; it’s intimate,” Grizelle-Reid said. The Learning Staff plans to host more events for students throughout the semester and continue their annual tradition of celebrating National Writing Day in the future.
“We think it’s important to break into that community headspace and give students a reason to make connections and create an organic and natural space for community and we hope that’s what we’re able to do with events like this,” O’Connor explained.
Poinciana’s Campus Learning Support is in Building 1 Rm. 231, and is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursdays and 8 a.m to 5 p.m. on Fridays.
For more information on upcoming events and resources available, students can visit the Valencia College website or the Engage Event Calendar.
