Bonner Scholars host their first Coffeehouse
Waynesburg University students gathered together in the BeeHive to listen to music played by their peers and to listen to others discuss their faith and also listento music..
This happened at Waynesburg’s Coffeehouse event in the BeeHive. The event ran from 8:00 p.m. to around 9:30 p.m., and involved students telling personal, faith-based stories, as well as giving musical performances.
“Coffeehouses is something that [Student Activity Board] runs”, said junior athletic training major Melanie Byler.
Byler acts as one of the “team leaders” for the Coffeehouse event. SAB usually brings in up-and-coming musicians for Coffeehouse but the Bonner Program had the idea to pair up with SAB to host an event together where students had the opportunity to share their stories.
Byler is also a Bonner student, and that’s how she first got involved with the Coffeehouse.
“Bonners have [issue based projects], and that’s where we look at our campus and find issues that we see and try to address them in different ways,” said Byler. “My group decided that we wanted to hold an event that included college students.”
In total, 12 students gave testimonies. One of those students was junior Nick Lies, who talked about how his faith saved his life.
“I think it was a necessary topic to be provided for college students,” said Lies. “I gave my testimony with suicidal thoughts and how far I’ve come since those dark times. I thought it was a good time to just be a relatable light to other college students on campus.”
The official theme for the event was “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, for he has redeemed us.” One of the features of the event was bible verses placed on top of Christmas wrapping on every table.
The first musical performance of the evening was performed by sophomores Megan Joyce and Olivia Kelley, who played covers of “Fix You,” by Coldplay, and “Give Everything,” by the Christian group Hillsong.
Another performer later on was sophomore Briana Ryan, who after giving her testimony, performed the along with junior Mandi Pascarella.
One goal of Coffeehouse was to provide students with a laid back, relaxing environment, which appealed to Byler, who said the environment was one of the reasons that she is so involved with the coffeehouse.
“The Bonner program and SAB people come together, and [this Coffeehouse] was meant to include, encourage and just meant to care for students,” said Byler.