By Kaitlyn Oliveros, Sept. 27, 2022
On Sept. 20, Bronco Spirit Week began with a Billy and Friends event hosted by Associated Students Incorporated, including fun activities, music and free food.
This event gave students the opportunity to learn about and interact with animals such as frogs, lizards, turtles and snakes. A petting farm was also included where students could interact with and feed the goats and sheep.
Free food and drinks were provided at the event as music by DJ Jesse Cruz played. The event also included clubs that helped students learn more about environmentalism and sustainability. Billy Bronco made an appearance as well, taking pictures with students and enjoying the fun.
With this event being the kickoff to Bronco Spirit Week, BEAT Student Activities Assistant and coordinator of the event Venz Kosasih shared why he and his team picked this event to start off spirit week.
“It’s really to build that sense of welcome and community for the school,” said Kosasih. “The petting farm is going to be here, we got cool animals, free food, a DJ over there. It’s to build that sense of community.”
Kosasih shared the process of what planning the event was like, saying that the last two months were filled with lots of communication with vendors and making sure everything went as planned. With everything that went into planning the event, Kosasih shared what he would like students to take from this event.
“Cal Poly values community, inclusivity and fun,” said Kosasih. “We love our animals, and we love the environment.”
With all the fun activities and freebies, lots of students came down to enjoy the fun. Kaitlyn Gutierrez, a third-year psychology student, shared what brought her out to this event.
“I really wanted to see the goats and the sheep,” said Gutierrez. “I always see events where they do things like that, but I’ve never been to one. I really wanted to come to that.”
Gutierrez said that her favorite part of the event was getting to feed the 65-year-old desert tortoise some lettuce.
Event staff members ensured students were safe with the animals, giving them tips on how to approach the animals and even giving fun facts when asked. Staff advised students to hold their palms out straight in order to avoid being bitten and let the animals approach them. They also offered hand sanitizer to students who interacted with the animals.
Victoria Valencia, a third-year kinesiology student, shared what she liked about the event.
“Exposing me to different animals is so cool,” said Valencia. “The people who are handling them are so comfortable, and that makes me comfortable, you know? They’re confident with it.”
Both Gutierrez and Valencia said that they would both come to more events like these, saying how easy it was to sign up for the event and the lines weren’t long.
ASI also held a raffle towards the end of the event where students had the chance to win a Billy Bronco stuffed animal. Event staff also had students take an optional survey to get a mini cow or horse plush key chain.
Bronco Spirit Week lasted from Sept. 20 to Sept. 23. For more information on Bronco Spirit Week events or ASI events, students can visit myBAR.
Feature image courtesy of Kaitlyn Oliveros
