In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, the NAACP sought to bring single students together through the entertaining “Cupid Connect” dating game on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom.
In “Cupid Connect,” a student would sit on one side of a curtain, unable to see the three mystery contestants on the other side.
“We’re having a match game,” said Kenneesha Johnson, a junior psychology major. “Three contestants will have the chance to win a date with one contestant. They will be asked questions on dating, like ‘where would you take me on a first date,’ and they’ll just answer.”
Johnson, external secretary for the NAACP, was the coordinator of the game. According to Johnson, after all the bachelors or bachelorettes had answered the questions, the contestant would be able to choose who he or she was most interested in based on the responses.
Several rounds with different young men and women were played. Some of the contestants answered with a joke whereas others were serious.
The ballroom was full of students and everyone enjoyed watching each round play out.
The NAACP sold raffle tickets for $1 for both a men’s and women’s gift basket. The winners will be announced today. They sold Valentine grams, which will also be distributed today.
“I feel like Valentine’s Day, in my opinion, is overrated because you should celebrate it every day, not just one day out of the year,” said Kayley Williams, a freshman accounting major and NAACP member, who came to watch the game.
Myles Haydel, a freshman nursing major, was one of the three men who played in round one for the affection of Freddrecia King, a freshman nursing major. Neither knew who was on the other side of the curtain, but Haydel still participated because of his views on Valentine’s Day.
“It can be overhyped, but it’s pretty cool if you have someone to spend it with,” said Haydel.
Although King did not select Haydel, he generated a thundering applause from the audience for his honest answers and enjoyed watching the other rounds of the game.
Branden Summers, a sophomore majoring in marketing, was in the hot seat the next round, having to listen to three mystery women answer questions and then select one.
“I’m looking to find me a woman, someone who shares the same interests and personality as me,” said Summers before the game began. “Maybe after I can take her on a date and see where it goes from there.”
Summers selected Erica McKnight, a senior finance major, because of her answers.
Several of the contestants agreed to participate just to have a good time.
“I was approached by the organization. I think it’s a great organization,” said Leeann Prisk, a junior nursing major. “I just came to have some fun. I’m not looking for love. I just want to have a good time tonight.”
Everyone in the room seemed to have a good time, whether they participated in or just watched the dating game. “Cupid Connect” was a fun way for the NAACP to entertain people while creating some potential new relationships.