Winner, Winner, Italian Dinner
Love was in the air, Thursday, February 7, when Bluefield College students took part in the school’s first-ever Dating Game Show.
Students filled BC’s Harman Chapel, trimmed with hearts and other Valentine’s Day decorations, considering Valentine’s Day was just around the corner, to watch their classmates answer questions from an eligible bachelor and bachelorette, all for the purpose of winning a date and a free dinner.
Jeanna Anderson, Staley Lyle and other members of the Student Activities Leadership Team (SALT) organized the event. True to the style and format of the classic television Dating Game shows that first aired in 1965 and ran off and on in various formats through 1999, the bachelor and bachelorette were separated by a curtain to ensure their three contestants and prospective dates remained anonymous until they made their choices.
Criminal justice major Jamie Danley served as the bachelorette. Exercise and sport science major Adam Casto was the bachelor. Each asked 10 questions to learn more about their prospective dates hidden behind the curtain, such as “If you were a color, what color would you be and why?” The students were challenged to think outside of the box with very little time to respond. All contestants were willing and some rather creative in their responses, which drew much feedback from the crowd.
After all was said and done, Danley chose fellow criminal justice major Anthony Durham as her date, based on his answers and lack of crowd applause. After listening to the responses of his three anonymous contestants, Casto selected theatre major Sarah Minnix. The two new couples won a free dinner to Bluefield’s Italian restaurant, The Villa.
Sticking with the Valentine’s Day theme, the event also included a challenge for two BC student couples, who were invited to the stage to answer questions about their significant other. They were tested on how well they knew their partner by writing their favorite things on a dry erase board.
Anderson and Lyle thanked the audience for attending – a large turnout that may have opened the doors for more Dating Game shows to come, considering the student interest in the inaugural event.