"Tube into 2010," CAB celebrates Welcome Back Week

The first week back for students at Assumption College was exciting to say the least. Upholding the tradition, the Campus Activities Board (CAB) made it possible for students to celebrate their return for the spring semester with much more than a night out to Leitrum's Pub. In addition to the new classes, new schedules and new beginnings, CAB's Welcome Back Week allowed the Assumption Community to kick back, relax and have some good old fashion fun. On the evening of Tuesday, January 19, students filled the tables of Taylor Dining Hall with one thing on their minds. Normally, the sole thought running through their heads around 7 p.m. while sitting in Taylor is what magnificent meal they will eat for dinner, but this night was indeed different. They were focused on winning a state of the art camcorder, Boston Bruins tickets, the new iPod nano or a 19'' flat screen television. This year's, "What You Didn't Get for Christmas" Bingo was the perfect place to take a break from school work and get the chance to take home something great for the new year. CAB executives, seniors Emily Clough and Dan Kisiel, were the student leaders that planned the night. "The theme of Bingo stemmed from the idea that not everyone always gets what they truly want for the holidays, so Dan and I thought it would be a great way to attract people and give the best prizes possible," said Clough. Along with the five winners, six lucky students also won "Tube into 2010 with CAB" snow tubes as raffle prizes, which went along perfectly with the snow fall that has recently taken over the Worcester and New England area. The tubes were raffled off at each event throughout the week as well.

The next day, Charlie's was transformed into Assumption's very own art gallery. Students were able to paint their own pieces of pottery throughout the afternoon and enjoy a hot cup of Dunkin' Donuts' hot chocolate while doing so. Clay Time, located in Shrewsbury, Mass., provided the pottery and materials that roughly 100 students painted in the lounge area of the café. Junior Julia Brough chose to create her very own beach scene on a clay bowl and said in response to the event that "it was a different idea that was the perfect way to spend the afternoon." The completed pieces of ceramic pottery were taken back to Clay Time to be professionally completed and dried. They are expected to be returned sometime this week.

Charlie's continued to be the place to be the following night, with magician John Alexander, also known as Constantine, taking the stage. With over 30 years of experience in the magic world, Constantine performed basic tricks such as making a particular card vanish, while being as extreme as cutting a sophomore student's head off. Matthew Robinson was the individual who voluntarily placed his head underneath the large blade and did so with a smile on. Constantine also read minds of audience members, made two doves appear out of thin air and sliced junior Meg McKenzie right down the middle.

At the same place and same time on Friday evening, a crowd ventured through the inches of snow to see comedian Evan Wecksell crack some jokes. Along with his general college based humor, this comedian chose to spice things up a bit and dig deeper. While spending some time at Assumption prior to the show, Wecksell did some research about the college and based the majority of his performance on good old AC itself. Making jokes about the limited parking spaces, the statue that welcomes everyone at the entrance of campus and his sarcastic feelings about the exciting city of Worcester, Wecksell made it difficult for the audience to refrain from laughter. For the finale, he told students to write down their very own personal FML's, and he then turned all the responses into a song accompanied by music from his guitar. The show was a great success and quite an original one at that.

On Saturday, January 31, students took a bus trip to Hartford, Conn. to see "Lion King" on Broadway. CAB offered student-discount tickets to see the show and about 50 students took advantage of the deal and went to Hartford for the performance. Executives, senior Pete Gati and junior Katie Storer organized the event and also saw the show. "It was just as amazing as I thought it was going to be and I am so glad I was a part of making it possible for others to see it as well," said Storer.

Welcome Back Week for 2010 was a great way for students to start their year off right. The entertainment, excitement and opportunities presented by CAB were a success and enjoyed by all who took part.