The Second Annual Theme Block Party 

Students at St. Lawrence University hosted the second annual Theme House Block Party on Saturday, Sept. 20. The event took place on a closed-off section of University Avenue, where each theme community on campus set up picnic tables that highlighted the unique characteristics of their organization. Some brought games, activities or art supplies to their booths, while others provided delicious free food and drinks to attendees. Student groups Thystopia and Hannah & Keegan played sets on the front stoop of the Java House, which acted as the central gathering place for the party. 

Student theme coordinators of each house organized the event, as well as Theme House Community and Residential Coordinator Sharon Rodriguez, who first helped students bring the Block Party to life last fall. “I guess my role has really been in facilitating intentional conversations,” she said. “Knowing that as individual groups you all have things that you’re known for and missions that you’re passionate about, how do we find a common ground?” Rodriguez also emphasized that student leaders brought forward the idea for the event themselves. She tries to ensure that her trainings create space for theme coordinators to address the actual needs and wants of their communities. “It’s very easy for me as a staff member to give direction and guidance,” said Rodriguez, “but I think it’s more meaningful and impactful when it comes organically from all of you.” 

Irem Tuana Ciftci ’26, theme coordinator of the I-House, said that the Block Party is helping to promote the idea of theme houses to first-year students and non-members. “I think the students do not get a lot of exposure to theme houses if they don’t specifically go to events, and it seems like an isolated place,” she said. “But when there’s the Block Party and a bunch of people are going, they see exactly where the houses are located, and they have the chance to meet the people living in them.” Despite the bigger turnout this year, Ciftci said she wants the event to be advertised even more in the future. “I think a lot of people didn’t know about it,” she said. “I tried to share it in so many places, but it should be a big thing because it’s really fun. It’s like a festival, basically, so I think there should be more people, and we can also accommodate so many more.” 

Similarly, Rodriguez said she hopes that the spirit of the Block Party will grow into something larger and more permanent than just one event. “I would hope this event lives beyond my role working with the theme coordinators because I don’t think it’s necessarily about me. It’s about the theme community at large,” she said. “There are going to be so many other ways for groups to engage with one another and partner with one another, so I see this as sort of a kicking-off point for further beautiful opportunities.”