The Innovation Network, TIN, held an event called “Spring Into Love” March 27 where students and others shared poetry and stories about love and friendship.
“I followed the arrows” said a student walking into the room early. Green and pink arrows throughout SLC led student’s to the event downstairs in the SLC’s Twin Lights II.
TIN President, Maurice Parks, a 28-year-old, business major from Jersey City, said he “started to revamp (TIN) through Professor Alvarez’s Honors Class Fall 2024, with the vision of creating harmony and positivity amongst staff and students.”
TIN Vice President Atiqa Amjad, a 19-year-old, data science major,f and Hannah Badgley, a 19-year-old, digital animation and 3D design major, both from Hazlet, taught attendees how to make an assortment of origami such as stars, butt
erflies and birds.
Isabel Shaw, a journalism major from Morganville and TIN’s secretary, was the first presenter. With a single paper in hand, she read how she overcame a fear of not being able to fit in at Brookdale and instead developed great friendships with students and professors at Brookdale. Parks delivered his poetry in captivating narration as the room was silent with all eyes on him and a grand applause at the end.
“Spring represents renewal, hope, and better days ahead,” said Shaw, explaining the concept behind the event. “It was special because I love the brainstorming … and the members build on it and eventually come to a consensus on what form the event will take.”
The Spring into Love event was also a collaboration with The Nectar Club.
To the right of the entrance was a table arranged by the Nectar Club. Nectar club members prepared bouquets of dried lavender and shared lavender lemonade tea. Nectar club President Ailton Alanya, a 21-year-old science and math major from Howell, was among a few club representatives who delighted the audience with their floral gifts.
Both Alanya and Parks both agreed the Spring Into Love event allowed the Brookdale community to connect through vulnerability whether that process was through pain or joy.
