By Lauren Masters
Clouds loomed above Provo and a fat thundercloud hovered over BYU Friday afternoon, June 13, lowering the chances of a big turnout at the BYUSA-sponsored Summer Chill being held later that evening.
But students heeded the presidency”s call to come out and chill at BYUSA”s expense anyway and so did the weather as it turned sunny and warm, and the sprinklers began spraying water on the giant slip”n”slide running down Maeser Hill.
An expected crowd of 500 turned into twice that number as the evening wore on. The barbeque was soon exhausted of food and students began mingling around volleyball, croquet and Frisbee games with the music of Dave Perry and Matt Caulder in the background.
“When we said Summer Chill, people accepted our challenge,” said Kim Gardner, BYUSA public relations vice president. “I”ve never seen so many people chilling in my life. People aren”t partying, they”re chilling.”
Members of the BYUSA presidency took turns in the dunk tank set up outside the Testing Center. Student body president Dave Johnson was a popular target for students and student government members alike.
Earlier in the week, Johnson had worried about what he would wear to the event in anticipation of getting wet.
Johnson showed school spirit in a BYU-blue sports shirt and swim trunks, sitting passively on the seat but yelling catcalls to pitches that missed their target.
Gardner threw a wild pitch and instead ran up to hit the target, fully immersing Johnson in the water.
“You didn”t sink me, I jumped!” Johnson yelled as he wiped water out of his eyes.
Earlier in the evening, Johnson and Samuel Glanzer, student body vice president, took a turn racing down the hill together on the slip”n”slide behind the Maeser Building.
Students gathered around the long, white tarp anchored with sandbags to watch friends bust their moves, sometimes in style and sometimes in disgrace. Onlookers cheered those who made it all the way to the end.
BYUSA provided dark T-shirts for those who wanted to participate and to prevent Honor Code violations.
“Maeser Hill has never looked this good,” Johnson said.
The quad was packed with students coming with ward friends and individual groups, some sitting on the ground listening to the live entertainment and others avoiding flying Frisbees and bouncing volleyballs.
“BYUSA did a good job,” said Michelle Morris from Kaysville. “I do believe I was in a completely chill mood.”
Johnson was proud students were able to chill for the night.
“It”s been a successful activity,” Johnson said. “It sets the tone for the rest of the year.”
