HSO Fall Fest encourages friendships

The Honors Student Organization used free pizza, drinks, trivia and even a dog to encourage students to get to know each other at the group’s annual Fall Fest.

“Overall, people are drawn to the event because it provides a relaxed environment to meet other honors students, gives a chance for students to ask questions and join the Honors Student Organization,” HSO President Crystal Liang said. “And who doesn’t love free food?”

Around 30 students attended the event, which was moved from Dunn Meadow to the Great Room inside the Hutton Honors College due to rain. Liang said HSO made the decision because students might not have attended if it meant sinking to their ankles in mud.

The event welcomed and attracted students not part of the HSO. Senior Sarah Bauer attended Fall Fest to support her roommates who helped plan the event. She said she did not join the organization because she already had too much on her plate.

“I’ve actually had a lot of fun,” she said. “I got here after the food was gone, but that didn’t keep me from staying.”

Bauer sat with two friends as Liang played short clips of songs for trivia players to identify.

Freshman Ty Howell helped plan and set up the event as a member of the HSO Executive Board but said it was still a great opportunity to meet fellow honors students.

“All the group members are friendly and nice, and it’s a really good way to get to know the other people,” he said.

Howell encouraged honors students to join the Executive Board because it’s an easy and fun way to get involved with the school. The board helps plan ways to give back to the community with future events such as the winter ball, which attracted about 300 students last year.

“We have biweekly meetings and everyone is welcome to come,” he said. “It’s always good to get more ideas out there.”

The next Executive Board meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 in the Indiana Memorial Union Hoosier Room.