Last Thursday, Mocktails 2012 drew hundreds of students to the parking garage, where live music, free pizza and the “mocktails” from various Greek and student organizations offered a fun, alcohol-free soirée.
The main event was held at 7 p.m. after the Mocktails Pre-Party in the Cayman Cafe and  comedian Wendi Fox shared her experiences, good and bad, with alcohol. During the party, 10 student groups set up booths and served themed drinks. Themes ranged from doctors to astronauts, to flight attendants and retirees.
“Our drink was called The H-Bomb,” said Kelly Altazin, a junior English major. “It has a little bit of monster in it, going with the mad scientist theme. I’m really excited to be here at Mocktails. We’ve got a lot of good booths, lot of good drinks out here. Its been a really good time.”
While the judges closely observed and tasted the drinks, most of the crowd had moved to the back of the garage next to the incline leading to the second floor to watch the dodge ball tournament, a new addition to Mocktails. While students competed for fun, they were ultimately driven by the desire to win a free pizza party, causing many students to gather into groups of six and compete.
Toward the end of the party, KSLU’s Chad Pierce, the party’s DJ and announcer, took to the microphone and announced the evening’s winners. Judges presented awards in three categories: PEEPS Choice Award, which was determined by student votes, Best Booth and Overall Winner.
In first place Alpha Sigma Tau and Delta Tau Delta with their Retirement Home theme, and Pepto Bismol drink, in second place Phi Mu and Theta Chi with their Carnation Airlines theme and Turbulence drink, and in third place Alpha Omicron Pi and Kappa Sigma with their Doctors and Nurses theme and Code Red and Blue Drink.
The second category of winners was for the most creative booth. In first place, Alpha Omicron Pi and Kappa Sigma with their Ambulance booth, in second place University Housing with their Mad Scientist Lab, and in third place Alpha Kappa Alpha and the SELU Lionettes with their Police Car.
Finally, the Judges’ overall winners were announced. In third place was University Housing Mad Scientists with their H-Bomb, in second place Gamma Beta Phi Teachers with their Easy A, and the big first place winner Alpha Omicron Pi and Kappa Sigma Doctors and Nurses with their Code Red and Blue. The announcement of the overall winners ignited the crowd; loud cheers took over the garage. Over the buzzing mass of people, Kelli Gatti of Alpha Omicron Pi shouted, “AOII is number one! We put so much work into this! I’m so glad we won! It was definitely worth all the hard work we put into it, and we put in a lot!”
 

Correction: In the story “Students create the perfect mixture at Mocktails,” it was stated that Alpha Omicron Pi and Kappa Sigma won first place and University Housing won second place respectively in the Booth Competition. In actuality, both booths tied for first.