Best Week Ever

After learning virtually for a year and a half, the fall 2021 Best Week Ever at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley featured many new and fun activities. 

The Best Week Ever (Aug. 22 to Sept. 2), better known as the first week back to school, is a week of countless festivities. According to the UTRGV Office of Student Life and Dean of Students, this is the “official welcome back,” for students, faculty and staff. Some of the more popular events that happened this week included Picnic with the President, the first 1950s drive-in movie, and the Stomp Concert. 

The Picnic with the President in the Edinburg Campus Ballroom held on Aug. 23. Where students received a free lunch and a chance to meet and greet President Guy Bailey. It was filled with students going in and out, as the DJ played students’ song requests. 

Senior track and field athletes, Taylor Kregness and Hailey Wallet, attended the event. Speaking about the return to campus and in-person events, Kregness said that the return to campus has been, “really exciting, and as seniors it feels like freshman year all over again.”  Wallet added, “Like it’s beautiful. We got half of our sophomore year, and we haven’t had it since, so coming back senior year it’s almost like WHAT!?.”  Kregness said, “Yeah, getting to see people and like their idea of sitting down in a classroom again, and getting to have true raw social interaction, not through the screen, you couldn’t ask for anything better.” 

In terms of meeting Bailey at the picnic, both said, “He is so kind, and extremely personable.” On Tuesday Aug. 24, the event took place at the PlainsCapital Bank El Gran Salon, at the Brownsville campus. 

The following day was the 50s drive-in movie, which was held at the baseball field parking lot, where student activities also provided snacks for the student body. Student Activities encouraged students to show up dressed up in a costume from the 1950s, but no one did. Upon arrival, students parked their cars in the baseball parking lot, and got comfortable and ready to watch “Grease.”

Despite some technical difficulties at the event, the movie eventually started, as everyone sat in their cars and enjoyed the event. Ashlyn Holubar, freshman biology major, said, “I was so excited to come, I love ”Grease.” I was so excited to get to see everybody, and I’m really happy.” When asked what drew her to this event, she said “Well I love the movie, and since I’m a freshman I don’t really know anyone yet. So I thought this would be a great way to meet new people. It really just sounded like a fun thing to do.” 

In terms of how UTRGV is handling the in-person events, Holubar said, “I think events like a drive-in are a great compromise, because you still have your own personal space, but you can still be out with others interacting. So I think it was a great idea.” 

Finally, the in person return to school and The Best Week Ever, have been done in a safe and orderly manner. Speaking with the student body, has provided insight on how UTRGV can continue with activities safely. 

The Best Week Ever will conclude with the Late Nite on Sept. 2. For more information visit: https://www.utrgv.edu/bestweekever/index.htm

Stomp Event

On Thursday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m., the Office of Student Activities held its annual stomp event at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Baseball Stadium. After 18 months of isolation because of COVID, the Stomp was the first concert since the pandemic. 

The energy was exhilarating as UTRGV students poured into the stands of the stadium. Slowly the seats began to be taken up, and their orange-colored shirts blinded one with school spirit. The UTRGV mascot began hyping up the audience from a distance, getting students riled up to hear old Selena Mexican pop classics. As members of Student Activities introduced the band, there was an audible impatience from the audience waiting to hear these songs. 

There was a constant buzz of excited chattering, until Stephanie Bergara, the lead singer and founder of the “Bidi Bidi Banda” band, got on stage and announced the band would be performing “only Selena songs.”

As Bergara started singing, the mood of the stadium became even more animated and involved in the performance. People were singing and clapping along to songs like “Como la flor” and “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” with some people even getting out of their seats and dancing.

The Stomp concert was one of the final events with The Best Week Ever concluding on Sept. 2.