October 2024

 Hey y'all we're back at it again with the 1504 events blog for October 2024! October was when the 04 boys finally started to find their rhythm…Literally, as RC Griffin Kenna hosted a beat-making session to start the month off. Here RC Griffin taught the students the basics of digital audio production techniques and helped them discover a new creative outlet.

The very next week saw the annual wing wars competition, where the students of 04 engage in (mostly) friendly competition to determine once-and-for-all which wing is the best. 04's students were excellent models of sportsmanship, competing fairly while giving their all to events such as an Uno tournament, a Super Smash Bros tournament, the so-called "key game" (where students try to catch each other not holding their key), a mural competition, and a cooking contest we call Iron Chef which I will highlight below.

A, B, C, and D wing, respectively, preparing their dishes

In Iron Chef the RCs provided each wing with a budget of $30 to take a trip to Woodman's and shop for ingredients for six plates of a dish incorporating a secret ingredient (this year it was honey). After the trip, they had the rest of the evening to actually make the dish, before presenting it to the RCs for judging. The judges took several factors into account when scoring the dishes, including taste, creativity, and presentation. Each wing interpreted this challenge in a unique way, reflecting the unique culture found within. The students' creativity and ingenuity was on full display during wing wars, and the competition was close. D wing may have come out on top, but at the end of the day it was the 1504 community as a whole that won.

Returning to the hall after the break, the students of 1504 were re-energized in time for some spooky events to take place ahead of Halloween! With ghosts and goblins  abound, RC Caleb Schlesser started up a Pathfinder (akin to Dungeons&Dragons) game for the students to unwind with on Wednesdays. Pathfinder is a storytelling game where the players each assume the role of a great hero. The object of the game isn't to win, and the players aren't competing against each other. Rather the goal is to tell an engaging story of an epic adventure spanning several weeks of adventure. Several 1504 students answered the call, and even brought some friends from other halls to join the fun as well.

 

1504 Students (and guests) Enjoying Pathfinder

Meanwhile RC Oscar Vazquez took the students to the Old Joliet Prison. This now-closed state penitentiary is noteworthy for being shown in The Blues Brothers, as well as the television show Prison Break. While the prison is now closed, it has been preserved as a museum that shows off its own storied history. IMSA's relatively-close proximity to this piece of Illinois history provided the students a unique opportunity to explore the iconic location, and a small group of students from C wing took full advantage.

Saroj (Left) and Victor (Right) exploring the Old Joliet Prison

 

The last week of the month was IMSA's mental health awareness week, so for Tuesday programming the RSLs, under the guidance of RCs Oscar and Cam, ran a painting night. We had old episodes of The Joy of Painting with the iconic Bob Ross on for the students to follow along to, and Cam ran a mural painting program for B wing.

B Wing shows off their creative side

Finally, the hauntingly eventful month ended with the annual 1504 Halloween Party! Thanks to the generosity of our wing parents, the 1504 students enjoyed a night of food and fun. Some of the students even dressed up for the occasion, sporting hand-made costumes that gave the party that unique 1504 touch. With the promise of free food, everyone came out for the event, and that party will be one they remember for years to come.

Michael shows off his Halloween spirit

Thanks for reading our blog; this one was a bit on the longer side but October was filled with so much that we wanted to share. Stay tuned for next month's blog, and until then, take care!