UAC holds silent disco, shares growth in participation

Students gather at the amphitheater for the silent disco, Alex Ford photo

To start off the new school year, the University Activities Council (UAC) partnered with Welcome Week to hold a Silent Disco. Students gathered for the semesterly event at the Janice Hawkins Cultural Arts Park Amphitheater.

At the event, students wore headphones connected to stations controlled by DJs. Students were provided with headphones by the hosts. With three DJs to rotate between, students were able to listen to various kinds of music.

“The goal of the event is to bring students together,” said UAC President Mallory Morris, a junior graphic design major from Hoover, Alabama. “The three channels allow students to see who is listening to the same music as them and connect over it.”

Silent Disco is always a well-received event, with students flocking to grab headphones every time.

“The Silent Disco is probably the most anticipated event of Welcome Week,” said Jamarion Willie-Hughes, a junior electrical and electronic engineering major from Huntsville, Alabama, and vice president of campus affairs. “I’m also an IMPACT leader, so I always start telling students about the event as early as summer.”

Students from all different places, ages, and majors attended the Silent Disco.

“I heard about it through social media, and I think it is an amazing event,” said Brandy Flowers, a sophomore biology and biomedical sciences major from Brundidge, Alabama.

Despite their differences, many students had positive things to say about the event.

“This event is so much fun, and I will definitely come again,” said Emma Brannon, a junior elementary education major from Dothan, Alabama.

Not only did the event receive positive verbal feedback, but the turnout proved a positive outcome as well.

“Last year we ran out of headphones, so this year we ordered 900 and those are almost all in use,” Morris said. Willie-Hughes said attendance had nearly doubled since last year’s Silent Disco.

Many students heard about the event through social media outlets. Both Flowers and Brannon said they heard about the event through Instagram and this was their second time attending the Silent Disco.

The council holds the Silent Disco every semester in addition to many other events.

Anyone interested in staying up to date with future UAC events can find them on Instagram @troyuac.