Brookdale’s last bingo night of the year was Dec. 11 and featured several students trying to win prizes while munching on free pizza and other treats and enjoying holiday tunes.
The event began around 6:30 p.m. with tables full of players ready to compete with each other.
While I was not playing bingo, almost everyone else was. I watched how the players diligently filled out their bingo cards, hoping to win a prize. The atmosphere of the huge Navesink room was one of excitement and high energy. It even, at times, could be considered a bit rowdy. I enjoyed seeing how much the students were into the games. The staff did a good job organizing and preparing the event.
“I think it’s a great event. It pulls in a lot of students and really contributes to student life,” said Ben Kuleshov, a 20-year-old computer science major from Holmdel.
“I actually won multiple times. I’ve been really lucky, and I’ve actually gotten some really useful prizes. I really enjoy just the feeling of being connected to my peers after school at night, getting together with all my friends and making new ones.”
The items offered were gift cards, mugs, blankets, and other good things. They were displayed for all to see at the front of the room, waiting to be won. While there were many prizes, I wasn’t interested in any of them myself, so it didn’t matter that I wasn’t playing. Other people had their eyes set on a gift.
“I plan to get some of these amazing prizes Brookdale has offered here. I’m really interested in that penguin blanket,” said Miguel Romero, a 19-year-old business major from Marlboro. “I feel like this bingo event really brings a community together. I think the people here are really nice and very welcoming here. The staff here are very approachable, and very kind.”
As with the other bingo events this semester, there were lots of pizza to feed the entire room. The staff asked that students get in line for only one slice of pizza first. The line was long, but moved fast. There were also cookies, snacks, and sodas for all to eat or drink. Later on, it was announced that students could go for seconds on the pizza. Some people went again for a small feast. I didn’t go up for any food, but it all looked tasty, especially the pizza. I already ate a healthy dinner at my home before I came to this event.
I thought that the staff and Student Life Board did an excellent job hosting it. They seemed to know what they were doing. Everyone seemed to love the food and the actual bingo event was run well, with many useful prizes given out to lucky winners. This activity was one of the last of the year for Brookdale before the long winter break, and was a good way for students to enjoy what the college has to offer. It is safe to say that this bingo event left many in good spirits for the upcoming holiday season.
“I hope that bingo continues strong for many years at Brookdale as a tradition,” Kuleshov said.