Column: Tips and tricks for True Aggie Night, how to get the most out of your experience
PSA: Before reading this article; make sure you have a pen, paper and lots of ChapStick.
Picture this: a moonlit courtyard, and an audience surrounding the USU A block, patiently waiting for the clock to strike midnight. It’s the year 1916, and the people are buzzing with anticipation. The moonbeams are connecting curious eyes and wanting lips.
Hidden in this crowd, connected by an invisible string, two people lock eyes for the very first time. They don’t know it yet, but they’ll be locking lips at midnight, and starting a lasting tradition for students, staff and alumni alike.
True Aggie Night is associated with many different meanings, for many different students. A night to be bold. A night to be reckless. A night to meet the love of your life. A night to break up with the love of your life. A night to celebrate milestones with the one you love. A night to laugh until 3 a.m. A night to remember.
How can you make your experience hold up to these statements? It doesn’t matter if you plan on watching or participating, there is always a way to enrich your experience, and the students at USU have a lot to say.
“If you just met them, I feel like you should make it funny, because otherwise it’s so awkward,” said Kaylee Shelton, a junior at USU. “I did the double decker shoulders kiss. I’ve seen people do fun suits. The coolest one I saw was this guy Jake who’s on the stunt squad, he did a handstand and pushed up to kiss her. So, I feel like making it fun with costumes or a stunt.”
Shelton and three of her friends wowed the crowd at the last True Aggie Night with their “double decker” stunt, and people are still talking about it.
“I think a lot of times when it comes to participating in True Aggie Night, people feel like they have to find a stranger to kiss or be dating/talking to someone,” said Chloe Richmond, a business major at USU. “But I feel like if they’re okay with it, kissing a friend is fun. Like, when you’re with a big group of friends it’s just something to participate in. Then you can do things like a double decker kiss or funny things like that.”
It’s ideas like Shelton’s double-decker stunt that don’t just make it more fun for the people up on the A, but it also gives the crowd a better show. When going up on the A, especially with someone you just met, you need a move. Something quick enough to move things along, but bold enough to give the crowd a lasting impression. Because that bell won’t wait for anyone’s big debut performance.
The classic twirl in is cute, but according to most students, overdone. Instead, follow Shelton and Richmond’s advice and dress up or do a flip if you can. Maybe dance your way up there. Use your imagination. Kiss a friend, it’s tradition. As for the audience, don’t forget your popcorn, and remember there is so much more happening than you think. Keep your eyes peeled for the drama to unfold.
“Something that I really liked last time was that a few people brought whiteboards and they would rate the kisses,” Lauren Lind said. “And I think it’s also fun to sometimes see which couple just barely met, or people that are actually together.”
This night gives everyone else an insight into that relationship. Whether it be one that just started five minutes ago, or a couple that has been waiting to do this since they first met.
As an audience member, True Aggie Night is really only fun for the first hour, but to make it even more exciting you could add a game.
“My friends and I would see how many people went left or right and have a debate because we all have a preference, so it was fun to see who would win,” Shelton said. “I’ve seen the ratings and people guessing how long they know each other.”
Now, all of these tips are great, but how can you properly execute these?
First things first, get there on time. The first kiss takes place at midnight, but if you want a good view it’s recommended to get there earlier. True Aggie Night isn’t just about who takes their spot on the stage, it’s also about the people that are connecting all around you. Friends. Future partners. Enemies. It’s all happening at once.
It’s also important to remember that True Aggie Night often happens after other events.
“It’s definitely more fun to go in a big group,” said Avery Sadler, a sophomore at USU.
Following Sadler’s advice, attend the events beforehand to find people to go with. The more people, the more chaos and excitement.
When asking students what tips and tricks they had in mind, one student had an idea that could be added to the tradition.
“I was thinking it would be fun if someone could set up a table with a get to know your questionnaire that is scored,” Jonah Feigleson said. “And then, if someone doesn’t have anyone to kiss they can go up to the table and fill out the questionnaire to see who they scored closest to.”
Fiegleson may have just invented the first ever True Aggie matchmaking app. But seriously, there are many students who would love to be set up via True Aggie Match. Many students have their friends set them up with someone else, but Fiegleson’s idea may just make this much easier.
Don’t forget that True Aggie Night is on every full moon. So, pack your ChapStick, breath mints and check your calendars for events before. Start planning your next move, buy your costume or make a bet with your friends because the next True Aggie Night is on Homecoming.
Pucker up, and make sure to get down to the A before midnight on Friday, Oct. 6.