Students Respond Positively To Breastival
Story by Connect2Mason Reporter Elizabeth Kimbell. Photos by Broadside Photographer Laura Foltz.
Last Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the North Plaza of George Mason University was once again covered in breasts of all types, colors and sizes. Some were even edible, in a nonsexual sense.
The second-annual Mason Breastival, put on by the Office of Alcohol, Drug and health Education, kicked off its event with music, breast-themed microphone banter, breast cupcakes, breast information and breast games in celebration of October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“What's going on?” was wondered aloud by a passing by Mason student as he eyed the pink, blue, purple and brown breast balloons that floating on the breeze.
Others recognize the signs immediately. “It's Breastival!” some exclaimed.
“This year, vendors actually contacted us,” said Megan Schull, the health promotion coordinator of the OADH and one of the main organizers of the event. The success of the event last year seemed to create a name for itself aside from simply “boobies.”
The theme this year was “Save the Hooters!” complete with coffee mugs and T-shirt giveaways. Several organizations an vendors attended the event, including ZTA, the Student Nurse Association, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, the Young Survivor Coalition, Relay for Life, Mautner Project and the Feminist Ninjas. This year, Sodexho donated 100 cookies and breast-shaped cupcakes to the event.
“What is a better dessert than booby-shaped cupcakes?” joked Jude Butch, assistant director of Student Activities, over the microphone when the confections arrived around noon. Butch was asked to return as this year's host, an offer he accepted.
“I came back to carry on the tradition,” he said in a moment away from the microphone.
Many Mason students flocked every hour to receive a free T-shirt, which were also available for a donation of $5 at any time during the event.
“Please don't fight with anyone, they're just T-shirts. We've trying to save lives!” said one Breastival volunteer over the microphone as an excited horde of students gathered as if it was time to catch the bouquet at a wedding.
Overall, the student impression seemed positive.
“They're enthusiastic and informative,” said Jenny Stibbards, Junior History major. This was her first time attending this event.
According to OADH Assistant Director Danielle Lapierre, that was the goal. “It's about promoting resources.” Lapierre went on to say that for young women and men alike who think they have breast cancer, they should not be afraid to reach out. “It's OK to see your doctor.”
Again as it was last year, the Feminist Ninjas offered their breast casting opportunity, in which volunteering Mason students – male an female alike – can get their breasts casted, dried, decorated and put on display in the Johnson Center Gallery 123.
“It's about breast cancer awareness, and being confident with you bodies,” said Melissa Krauth, senior Sociology major and and Feminist Ninjas leader. Krauth said that the project was also aimed to be a “liberating breast experience.”
Both female and male students alike enthusiastically signed up for the project, and by noon a line had already formed in the breast casting room, third floor of the JC.
The other activities also enjoyed the audience of both genders, and everyone seemed to be smiling.
As it had last year, the music stopped and the crowds dispersed when it all ended around 3 p.m.
Notably, the cloudy morning became sunny the moment the music played at 11:10 a.m. Later into the afternoon, when the tables were folded away and tent taken down, the clouds returned.
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