For the past several weeks, Transylvania’s Student Activities Board has been hard at work preparing for this semester’s edition of Stress Fest, a multi-day series of events held near the end of the semester designed to relieve the stress of finals. This semester’s version of Stress Fest features five different events, with SAB attempting to combine old favorites with exciting new experiences for the Transy student body. I was able to speak with SAB Vice President of Programming Maria Hayes (‘26) to discuss how SAB chose and planned this semester’s upcoming events.
The first Stress Fest event, taking place on Thursday, April 10, will be Beads and Bubbly, a combined arts-and-crafts and soda bar event. Hayes spoke to the process that SAB employs when planning events, saying, “Before planning each event, we all come together as a board to brainstorm different ideas. We like to draw on previous events we have done, while also innovating them to keep them interesting and engaging.” This was a strategy that SAB employed when planning their second event for Friday the 11th, Paws for a Cause. This puppy playtime event is returning after a few years’ absence, with Hayes admitting that logistical challenges, namely bringing several puppies to campus and finding a safe and accessible place for them, initially dissuaded SAB from bringing the event back. For this version of the event, SAB is partnering with Dr. Ellen Furlong and the Canine Cognition Lab, but also with the Transy chapter of Alpha Omnicron Pi to support its local philanthropy in the Lexington Humane Society. Hayes gave special credit to these partners, acknowledging that they were “essential in bringing this event to life.” SAB’s third Stress Fest event, scheduled for Sunday, the 14th, is a returning favorite from last year, a Mister Softees truck in Old Morrison Circle from 4-6 pm. Hopefully this event, complete with a complimentary treat from SAB, will be as successful as last year and a great way to welcome in the warmer weather.
Monday, April 14 will see the return of the longstanding Reading Day tradition, Brinner. The sights and sounds of Brinner are likely familiar to all current Transy students: the lines wrapping around the campus center, faculty and staff serving food and striking up conversations with the students, and the Transy community coming together for one stress-free night before finals begin. One of SAB’s foremost tasks when planning Brinner is keeping the event unique to incentivize students to keep coming back every semester. This semester’s Brinner theme is “Orange You Glad It’s Brinner Time,” so expect everything from the decorations to mockatials and other items on the menu to have a citrusy twist. The final Stress Fest event, held on Tuesday the 15th, will be another returning favorite: Happy Hour at Third Street from 2-4 pm. SAB has been able to maintain a partnership with Third Street Stuff, a favorite study spot for Transy students, to guarantee a free coffee during finals for several semesters in a row. Hayes expressed SAB’s happiness with the partnership, saying, “Third Street Stuff is an amazing local business to partner with. They are so supportive of the Transy community, and students love visiting. It’s been such a great way to consistently provide students with a free sweet treat.”
The events of Stress Fest are some of the most anticipated of every semester and for many students, one of the only reprieves from the taxing final two weeks of the semester. SAB takes this opportunity to connect with the student body and provide some joy very seriously, and tries to ensure that the events consistently deliver a great experience. As Hayes emphasized, “SAB is so passionate about Stress Fest because we seek to alleviate some of the stress and worries from students by providing relaxing and fun events where students can connect with one another. By providing treats and other “pick-me-ups,” we also aim to increase the positivity around campus during finals week. I hope our events are something students can look forward to during stressful periods.” For additional information on the upcoming events, check in with @tu_sab on Instagram and keep an eye out for updates in Daily TNotes.
