By Joana Karoshi | Staff Writer
Kappa Kappa Gamma hosted its annual philanthropy event, Kappa Karnival, Wednesday evening, featuring games, music, face painting and other activities to bring Baylor students together and raise awareness for mental health and well-being.
The event took place during National Suicide Prevention Month, which Kappa Kappa Gamma incorporated into this year’s philanthropy efforts. The sorority’s philanthropy focuses on mental health and well-being, and the chapter has partnered with Active Minds, an organization focused on mental health and suicide prevention awareness among young adults.
Denham Springs, Louisiana, senior Anna Cooper, the university director for Kappa Kappa Gamma, said the chapter wanted Kappa Karnival to create a welcoming environment while emphasizing its philanthropy.
“We wanted to make sure everyone feels included, everyone feels heard,” Cooper said.
Organizing the event involved working with Baylor Student Activities, coordinating vendors and arranging entertainment, Cooper said. This year’s event included vendors, food, a band and a dunk tank organized with Sigma Chi.
Corsicana sophomore Mackenzie Kingston volunteered at the event and said she enjoys opportunities to get involved on campus through Kappa Kappa Gamma.
Kingston said she was especially looking forward to spending time with other students. Earlier in the evening, she reconnected with a girl she had not seen in a while as she was dancing at the event.
“I feel like it is fun, having that in the background, putting on Beyoncé, and then also getting to catch up with a bunch of people and meet new people,” Kingston said.
Kingston said she hopes students leave Kappa Karnival feeling more connected to the Baylor community, particularly freshmen and transfer students adjusting to campus.
“Everyone is having the first test and everything, so I feel like it would be nice to relax and just enjoy themselves and enjoy community,” Kingston said.
For some students, attending Kappa Karnival was less planned. Freshman Alex Richardson, from Wichita, Kansas, said she noticed the event while walking back from class at the BSB and decided to stop with a friend.
Richardson said she did not know about the event’s philanthropic cause before arriving. She said she was looking forward to getting lemonade and meeting members of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
