On the weekend of Oct. 10, the College announced that they would replace the Homecoming bonfire with a laser light show on the Green due to a state-wide burn ban. While this change meant that the Class of 2029 did not experience the weekend in its traditional form, it gave student DJs an opportunity to perform.
Andrew Wang ’29, also known as “DJ Dart,” played one of two 25 minute sets during the light show.
Wang said he was contacted by a staff member from the Office of Student Life to DJ after being recommended by his peers. He explained that he gained recognition from previous performances in dormitory basements.
Homecoming was Wang’s biggest set to date.
“As a student, getting to play in a student event was very satisfying,” he said.
“It motivated me to put more effort behind my set, just because I knew that it would impact my peers, and I wanted to give them a good time,” Wang added.
Emma Bell ’29, also known as “DJ ESB,” DJed a set at the “Silent Disco” that took place at the Collis Center for Student Life. She called this student involvement “cool to see.”
“At the end of the day, this was an event for the students, so it would have been a little bit disheartening if there were no student involvement,” she said.
Fellow ’29s also appreciated it.
“I loved being able to hear the student DJs express themselves at such a big event on this campus,” Lane McDermid ’29 said.
Wang said he appreciated the College’s efforts to create a memorable weekend despite the burn ban, especially given the “short amount of time” they had to prepare.
“The students still had a very good time,” he said.
Tobi Soneyin ’29 agreed. Despite his original disappointment about the lack of a bonfire, he was satisfied with the College’s response.
“I’m not going to lie, the energy was there,” Soneyin said. “DJ Dart did his thing … It did what it needed to do.”
Bell hopes opportunities like this for students to be involved will continue to be a staple of Homecoming weekend going forward, even after the burn ban is lifted and the traditional bonfire ceremony returns.
“If there are smaller events after the bonfire or before the bonfire, just kind of separate things where it’s more like lowkey and chill and you can just tune in to a DJ, I think that’s totally fair game,” Bell said.
