BBC celebrates Spring Fling

By: Sheaon Reid / Contributing Writer
Last Monday marked the beginning of Spring Fling Week. The week’s events kicked off with a carnival held outside of Panther Square, followed by a lecture by an ex-Playboy playmate on Tuesday and closed with a concert featuring Jamaican reggae artist Beenie Man on Thursday.

The Student Programming Council sponsors Spring Fling Week. Chairperson Johanne Civil said the purpose of Spring Fling is to give the students an opportunity to relax before finals.

The carnival outside of Panther Square consisted of various food booths typical of a carnival including booths with popcorn, hotdogs, cotton candy and frosties. There was also face painting for those who were interested or who brought their children.

The turnout was disappointing.

“There was a poor turnout at Monday’s carnival,” Sophmore Alexander Reyes said, “I said to myself, the music is good, the food is free and the school is trying to do something for us, why aren’t more people here?”

Tuesday’s lecture featured former playmate, Rebekkah Armstrong speaking to FIU students about her life with HIV.

Armstrong began her lecture with a brief video clip of her life, from a star on top of the world to the harsh reality of being HIV positive.

In terms of numbers, Thursday was the most successful with a sold-out concert featuring Beenie Man.
“There was a strong presence of the Caribbean community present which showed the spirit of the north campus,” Reyes said.
Civil agrees Thursday’s event was the most successful. “Despite the week’s poor turnout, the concert was the most successful,” said Civil. “We advertised everywhere including clubs, radio station, websites and everywhere students were going to be. Despite this we did not expect it to be sold out.”