Freshmen spend Friday night at Wal-Mart, stock up on supplies

With shopping lists in hand and school supplies in cart, many IU freshmen loaded up on necessities at Wal-Mart’s annual Midnight Madness from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday.\nStudents started loading shuttle buses that would take them to Wal-Mart promptly at 9:45 p.m., but many were unable to squeeze in.\nTeter residents and roommates Amanda Straight and Emily Harder were waiting for the shuttle to go pick up thumbtacks and scissors.\nAfter noting the large amount of people wanting to pile into a less-than-adequate-sized bus, Straight mentioned that she had a car of her own, to which Harder replied, “Wait, then why aren’t we driving?” The girls left the large group of students for a more comfortable means of transportation. \nAfter the students arrived at Wal-Mart, the first thing they noticed was the IU gear. Wal-Mart workers clad in IU T-shirts pointed to IU-emblazoned items, such as banners, clocks and rugs.\nJessica Solano, Wal-Mart’s overnight customer service manager, said this would be the first time Midnight Madness was held at the new store. “I’m excited for the groceries,” she said. \nThe new Wal-Mart is considered a Supercenter, which contains almost a complete grocery store. Solano said the grocery store should be popular with the incoming freshmen. \nBryan Sewell, a freshman living in Foster Quad, ventured to Wal-Mart for a wide assortment of items.\n“I want whatever I can get,” he said, which he joked might include something with “High School Musical 2” logos on it. “I’ll be here however long it takes.” \nAn Energizer Bunny mascot perused the aisles, handing out pink bunny ears that read “keep going.” Most of the students didn’t need to be told twice.\nTeter residents and freshmen Ashley Matuska, Anna Clark and Josslyn Kennedy mainly bought appliances and decor for their rooms. \n“There was definitely stuff we forgot,” Kennedy said. “And as freshmen, we don’t really have a way to get here, so this was really helpful.”\nAside from shopping, students could participate in games in order to win prizes, which included T-shirts, candy and even a television. \nValerie Westlake, a Wal-Mart employee who was overseeing the basketball hoop game, said that Midnight Madness generates a lot of business, and consequently, a lot of cleanup.\n“It’s basically like the day after Thanksgiving, but at midnight,” she said. \nEven the fabric department saw a rise in business, said Jodie Swassord, a Wal-Mart employee. The students buy fabric for homemade drapes and togas, she said. \n“It’s wild and it’s exciting,” Swassord said. “But Wal-mart loves IU students and really appreciates the business.”