As Colleen Banks ’11 poured me a drink of her creation – apple pie in a cup – I looked on with trepidation as the sludgy mixture slid out of the pitcher and into my plastic cup.
“We didn’t have a blender, but it was still really good,” she said.
The New Amsterdam and The Hulk were only two of the drinks created by students for the Mocktails event at the Levee Friday night.
Mocktails was an event organized by Assistant Director of the Dean of Students Allison Berger as an alternative form of punishment for students who were documented for their behavior.
The event consisted of several groups of students which were given the task of coming up with the tastiest non-alcoholic drink. Groups were encouraged to mingle and share their creations with each other, along with any attending student who asked for a sample. Free food was provided for all who came.
Berger, who also organized the highly successful Club 42 event, said she is trying to provide kids with fun alternatives that don’t revolve around behaviors not approved by the school.
“I think this is a good event for students,” said Berger. “Everyone who is here was documented, and was required to attend this rather then, for example, perform community service.”
“I don’t want kids looking at this like a punishment, or looking at me like a bad guy. I would like to see more students come up and visit me when they’re not in trouble. My door is always open,” added Berger.
Area Coordinator Mike Labella, who was on hand for the event agreed that events such as Mocktails are beneficial for students.
“I think this is an awesome event that provides a safe alternative to high risk behavior,” said Labella.
Despite the efforts and positive aspirations Berger and Labella had for the event, students present held slightly different opinions.
“I think it’s nice that they have free food, but no one would come here voluntarily,” said Jesi Fabry ’11. “Everyone here is here because they have to be.”
Elizabeth Doody ’09 agreed with Fabry and added, “I shouldn’t have to be here. I wasn’t planning on going if I didn’t get in trouble. I really don’t think it will stop kids from drinking at all.”
Pete Quinn ’11 was another participant, whose group concocted their own beverage by mixing every Minute Maid juice sold in the Stag together in one pitcher.
Quinn said, “This isn’t going to help. No one would come here voluntarily; kids will still drink no matter what.”
Leave a Reply