1:56 p.m., May 18, 2009----While it was hot and muggy outside, a rockin' band, free food and a lot of prizes made for a cool afternoon for the University of Delaware's annual Senior Day, held Friday, May 15, in the Trabant University Center.

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The event, which was moved indoors due to the threat of thunderstorms, gives seniors a chance to hang out with friends and win all kinds of prizes before facing finals and getting reading for Commencement.

Marilyn Prime, director of Student Centers, said that despite having to make the weather decision by mid-day Thursday due to safety concerns, Senior Day turned out to be a fun afternoon for all participants.

“Kristen and the Noise was a great band, and with the inflatable attractions, free food and terrific prizes, it turned out to be a perfect event to be with good friends,” Prime said. “Next year we will be on The Green. I also want to mention that the StUDent Government Association and the Student Centers Programming Advisory Board did an excellent job in organizing the event.”

Bart Piegdon, a senior exercise science major from Edison, N.J., said that the thought of graduating “is almost surreal. It seems like I just started my freshman year.”

A member of the YoUDee mascot team looking to work in the crowd entertainment field, Piegdon said that the nicest thing about his undergraduate experience was “all the friends I have met during my time at UD. These are the friendships that will stick with you for life.”

Becky Cox, a senior leadership major from Bear and mascot team manager, said that her four years at UD could not have gone any faster than they did.

“It's been a real learning experience, whether in the classroom or just having fun,” Cox said. “I wish we had a whole week to celebrate being seniors. I'm going to enjoy the summer.”

While award-winning mascot and crowd favorite YoUDee worked the crowd, a steady stream of seniors were moving to the rocking beat of Kristin and the Noise and having a good time.

“It's a lot of fun, and I also can't believe how fast the time has gone by,” Aislinn DeLeon, a senior early education major from Middletown, N.J., said. “The nicest thing was getting close to the 30 girls in my class for four years and talking part in fund raisers and community projects.”

Courtney Salcedo, a senior psychology and Spanish studies major from Glassboro, N.J., said what stands out in her mind are “the many community service projects that we were involved in, from the AIDS Walk to Emmaus House.”

Jessica Theopold, a senior international relations major from Ithaca, N.Y., said, “I'm just enjoying the afternoon. I think the best time I've had at UD is the time spent with my roommates. I plan to go to New York City after graduation and work in interior design.”

While the crowd at the Trabant enjoyed the free hot dogs, beverages and soft pretzels, master of ceremonies and stand up comedian Michelle Bateau kept the jokes coming and also introduced the winners of prizes, including:

Sarah Babcock, a senior in the Lerner College of Business and Economics, won a 50-inch Panasonic plasma television and Blue Ray, a gift from the UD Alumni Association;

Theresa Glenn, a senior in the College of Health Sciences, won a 32-inch Panasonic HD television and TiVo from Coca-Cola;

Jonathan Wilson, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, won an Apple iPod Touch from Coca Cola, a $25 TGIF gift card, a $15 Starbucks gift card and a $15 D.P. Dough gift card;

Evan Moore, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, won an Acer netbook from Coca Cola;

Jessica Farina, a senior in the Lerner College of Business and Economics, won an Apple iPod Touch from Coca Cola; a $15 iTunes gift card, a $25 TGIF gift card and a $25 Macy's gift card;

Douglas Desario, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, won a TiVo with $50 service from Coca Cola;

Jason Westerkon, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, won a Flip video recorder from Coca Cola, a gift certificate to Two Brothers; a $25 Applebee's gift card and a $25 Iron Hill Brewery gift card;

Aislinn DeLeon, a senior in the College of Education and Public Policy, won a $100 gift card to Café Scalessa's and a gift bag from WSFS;

Aaron Chall, a senior in the Lerner College of Business and Economics, won an Apple iPod Touch from Coca Cola and a $75 gift certificate to Café Gelato; and

Aubrey Wisler, a senior in the Lerner College of Business and Economics, won a digital camera and a $25 gift card to Soffritto Italian Grill and a $25 Macy's gift card.

Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Duane Perry