Saturday’s rain did not stop U students from breaking out their bikinis.
More than 100 swimsuit-clad students packed the Ute Natatorium for Saturday’s pool party, hosted by the Union Programming Council and Victoria’s Secret VS PINK college outreach program.
Lauren Alai, a junior in pharmacy, planned the party as a way to integrate two of her favorite extracurricular activities. Alai serves an assistant director for UPC and as a campus representative for VS PINK. After seeing a Victoria’s Secret pool party at a university in Florida, Alai has been working on recreating the experience for students at the U.
“UPC had the funds and VS PINK had the marketing, so I wanted to combine those abilities and kill two birds with one stone with this event,” Alai said.
Because UPC typically holds events in the Union building, Alai’s goal was unusual. But Aubri Tuero, a junior in film and a UPC board member, said Alai ran into little resistance.
“UPC leadership is pretty accommodating of all of our ideas,” Tuero said. “We’re the innovation board, so they really like to support anything new.”
A hired DJ spun top 40 hits, as students lounged on inner tubes and pool noodles, had their pictures taken in a photobooth and enjoyed free snacks from the food truck hired by UPC.
Tony Marino, owner of the food truck Submarino’s, said he was happy to join the party. In exchange for the brand exposure to a college audience, Tuero says Marino gave UPC “a really great discount” on the sliders and miniature pulled-pork sandwiches he served.
Upon arriving, students were given free swag bags from Victoria’s Secret with panties and phone cases. Paige Peery, a junior in strategic communications and a VS PINK representative, said event organizers wanted to find fun and creative ways to disperse the merchandise. Students played games of limbo and hot potato for a chance to win more Victoria’s Secret merchandise.
Melanie Stokes, an undeclared freshman, said the free swag was part of the reason she attended the pool party.
“That’s why we came,” Stokes said. “We love Victoria’s Secret. Everything VS and PINK is the good life.”
Raydgeen Fletcher, a sophomore in speech pathology, said the freebies were a major incentive.
“It’s been fun,” Fletcher said. “I mean, I love free stuff, so I guess I’d have to say it’s been really fun.”
Alai said she was pleased to see the student attendance at the pool party.
“We had a great turnout, people had a lot of fun and everyone walked away with a prize,” Alai said. “I’d call that a success.”
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@allisonoctober