Where Singles Come To Mingle; “Ex’s and O’s Valentine’s Day Event”
Tonie Walton
Feb. 16, 2022
Friday, February 11, Illinois Central College‘s (ICC) Campus Housing held an Anti-Valentine’s Day event in the clubhouse on the East Peoria campus. The “Ex’s and O’s event had live music, games, great food, and an exciting and welcoming atmosphere. The “Ex’s and O’s” event is described as a way for singles to gather with other singles and have fun instead of staying home feeling lonely and isolated.
Keijah (Keke) Gray, a member of the Campus Housing Committee was the mastermind behind this event. Gray came up with this idea based on her personal experience of being a single college student. She knows how lonely it can be to spend Valentine’s Day alone and wanted to offer a safe outlet for others in her situation. Jacquan Binion, Derrick Robinson, David Rodden who are all Resident Assistants also helped with the event.
“I know Valentine’s Day isn’t always the most welcoming day for singles such as myself. So I wanted to make an event for single people and even people in relationships to come and hang out and not really think about being single or think about being lonely like they would on their average Valentine’s Day.”
Gray said.
ICC’s Student Government Association also assisted with the “Ex’s and O’s” event. Emily King, President of the Student Government Association organized live music. The live music, a band named “Aftersome”, is a local band, all of whom attend ICC.
“It’s really fun to have local music, especially from students here on campus.”
Emily King
You can follow the band on Instagram here.
We hope to see more events like these in the future and see more students participate in campus activities.