Pumpkin carving, a costume contest and spontaneous karaoke were featured in this year’s University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Architecture’s Pumpkin Equisse event, which gathered approximately 80 people on October 27.
“The highlight of the event was the live music that came through to provide energy for the pumpkin carvers,” said Austin Jared Torralba, a second year graduate student in architecture and American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) president. “The appropriately themed tunes eventually led into a karaoke scene where people could sing along on the mic while the band played.”
AIAS hosted the event to give students an opportunity to participate in Halloween festivities such as a pumpkin carving contest and a costume contest with free food and drinks. The costume contest’s best dressed handmade costume was chosen by audience applause. The pumpkin carving contest ended with a public silent vote in three categories: best use of lighting, best manipulation of medium and most creative. Winners received a trophy and prize.
The purpose of AIAS is to provide a bridge between academia and the professional world through collaborative events with professionals and workshops that develop students in their careers.
“As architecture students, we are accustomed to romanticizing work and working long hours for the sake of our projects, but sometimes it is good to take a break,” said Torralba. “We also like to have fun and this event was a way for students to take a break and enjoy some spooky festivities.”
