Residential Life and Housing prepare for Dorm Wars: The Remix
Photo by Senior Reporter Annie Youther
Dorm Wars is returning to Walker Arena tonight at 8 p.m., creating an uproar of anticipation for campus housing. Many resident directors, resident assistants and students will experience Dorm Wars for the first time due to COVID-19 preventing the event last year.
Residential Life and Housing staff members coached their Dorm Wars teams, planned hype nights and stirred excitement throughout their dorms leading up to the event. The preparation for Dorm Wars focuses on Lee traditions and creating new memories for students during their undergrad.
Dorm Wars will showcase three main events: a mystery event, couch race and obstacle course. The couch race competition is a new event, replacing the shopping cart relay.
At 7 p.m., dorms will present their couches in a couch parade.
Junior psychology major and RA of Atkins-Ellis Anna Acklin had the opportunity to coach Atkins-Ellis’ Dorm Wars team.
“It has been so much fun creating hype and building community at practices and events. I love Dorm Wars because of their inclusivity,” said Acklin. “Half of the student body has never even experienced the event. I am excited to see everyone’s hard work pay off when the arena fills, and the glory of Dorm Wars unfolds.”
Esther Marquez, RD of Sharp-Davis, spent her undergrad at Lee and considers Dorm Wars a staple of her time as a student. She expects a great night of competition and fun.
“I just hope my girls can see how fun it is to support a dorm organization and come together to compete,” said Marquez. “I always tell my team, ‘you’re only as strong as the weakest person, so make sure you’re there for each other’ — and they have been so good.”
Patrick Nelson, RD of Medlin, expressed how it can be overwhelming preparing for one of Lee’s largest events, but the excitement is worth it. He is proud of his staff for stepping up and helping Medlin’s theme come together.
“In this experience, something I really have appreciated is how my staff members have come together and stepped up or taken ownership,” said Nelson. “I have a to-do list, and I may tell one of my RAs, ‘Hey, I have this to do,’ and sure enough, one of them steps up and has it done. It’s awesome.”
Nathan Rich, senior RA of Medlin and junior disaster and healthcare management major, is thrilled to participate in Dorm Wars and is proud of Medlin residents for pulling their weight in preparing for the event.
“Being able to do this with the dorm as a whole while we are all excited about the same thing —it’s just been a neat experience,” said Rich. “I think a part of me is going to end up being a little sad when everything’s all over because it’s been a great way to just really connect with guys in the dorm.”
Expectation grows for the competition and the reveal of inspiration behind each dorm’s theme. Dorm Wars gives students an event to express support and joins Res Life and residents in representing their home at Lee.
“If there could be one word to describe dorm wars, it would be legendary,” said RD of New Hughes Christine Cornelius. “There’s a lot of details, preparation and planning all of Res Life and students have been involved with. It will be so exciting to see what everyone has been putting time and effort into. I urge students to come out and support.”
