SHAPE Carnival raises awareness and engages participants

Last Wednesday Mercer’s annual SHAPE Carnival took place in the University Center. The intention of the Carnival was to help raise awareness on sexual assault, hazing and alcohol prevention by having participants partake in different games and events.
The aim of the carnival is to help people understand the consequences of participating in alcohol, drug, and sexual abuse related activities.
The event is the biggest one of the year for SHAPE.
“Every organization on campus is invited to participate,” said SHAPE executive board member, Jessica Holmes. Each organization creates their own booth with their own ideas on what their booth should offer. SHAPE members help organizations with information and facts to present at each booth to educate participants.
Last year over 450 people attended the carnival. This year’s SHAPE event was also apart of the Greek Week festivities where competing fraternities and sororities could gain points for their chapter by partaking in the carnival. The event was one of several during the week in which greeks could gain participation points for an overall prize which will be annouced at the Greek Awards on April 22.
The original location for the carnival was on the Quad but due to weather it was moved to Heritage Hall in the University Center.
Some booths this year included an inflatable obstacle course put on by Chi Omega. Participants going through the course were required to wear goggles that simulated the vision of an intoxicated individual.
AWARE had a booth that had participants through pies at an individual’s face. At each booth people were asked to answer questions or given facts related to drugs, sexual assault and alcohol.
Included at many booths were candy and small prizes.In order to receive a free t-shirt participants were required to go to 22 booths and have the booth sign off on a number box card made by SHAPE.
SHAPE is comprised of staff, faculty and students who meet every Thursday in the Connell Student Center.
Other events put on by SHAPE during the year include Hazing Awareness Week which will take place this coming September and Oksoberfest which is held in October.