FreezeFest planner encourages students to embrace winter
Skating, hot chocolate, movies, and skiing planned
Chaynj Jason, an event manager for RIT’s College Activities Board, helped plan events for this year’s FreezeFest.
Chaynj Jason, a second-year computer science major from Philadelphia, is an event manager for RIT’s College Activities Board (CAB), which is hosting the annual FreezeFest, Jan. 27 through Feb. 8. She helped plan all of the off-campus events for CAB this year, including visits to a corn maze, smash room, amusement park, and a Buffalo Bills game.
Since its inception in 2010, FreezeFest has brought students and the RIT community together for an assortment of winter-themed programs and events. Most of the events are not dependent upon snow and, unless mentioned, are free and open to all RIT students.
What are some of this year’s events planned for FreezeFest?
We’re planning Icy Escapades in the Gordon Field House on Feb. 8. We have a vendor coming in and installing two ice rinks for skating, an inflatable obstacle course and bounce house, crafts, and a petting zoo. We have two buses filled to go to Swain Resort for skiing and snowboarding. There are already 40 people on that waiting list. And we have a movie night, Polar Express, in the Fireside Lounge with hot chocolate, goodie bags, and charm bracelets. And we’ll have a murder mystery in the Davis Room, with CAB members as actors, and the people showing up have to solve the murder. An ice sculpture will also be displayed in front of the Student Alumni Union.
Why should students attend FreezeFest?
It is a great place to make friends who have similar interests. As a freshman, I wouldn’t go to a lot of events because I didn’t want to go by myself. But people should go with their friends, or by themselves, and just talk to people you don’t know. Everything on campus is free. And you can get some free swag!
How did you end up at RIT?
It came down to going to RIT or a college in Florida. So I asked myself, do I want snow or do I want possible hurricanes? I do like the winter, but if snow was not cold, that would be the best! I came to RIT because I like the co-op opportunities and the accelerated programs. I didn’t know anybody when I came and in my first year, I was pretty isolated. This year, I’m pretty much involved in everything and have a lot of friends.
What do you enjoy doing?
I do a lot of gaming, napping, and hanging out with friends. I fidget a lot, so I collect fidget toys, squeeze toys, fluffy balls, spinning pens, and dragons. I’m on the e-board for COMS, the Computing Organization of Multicultural Students, and I’m on the e-board for RIT Esports. And now I’m planning events for SpringFest in April.
What would you like to do after graduation?
I would like to do something that will add a diverse viewpoint to the field of software engineering. With AI, I can add a diverse perspective.