Students have the chance to win a $50 bookstore gift card or a school supply goodie bag and a pair of earbuds this spring break. Students are encouraged to bring a bookstore bag around with them, take a picture, and make sure to be creative.
Plastic bags are available for free in the bookstore this week. Prizes will be awarded to the top three participants. Pictures must be taken between March 3 and 11, and submitted by March 23. Students can send them digitally to aberry@hillsdale.edu or bring a printed version to the bookstore.
The idea for this contest is from a national bookstore association and put into action by Trade Books Coordinator Angie Berry.
“This is actually the third time we’ve done this,” Berry said. “I think the last time we did it was maybe three or four years ago. We’re a member of a national bookstore association, and every once in a while they pass on ideas that work well, so that’s where I picked up the idea. Each time we’ve done this it’s gone over really, really well. It’s a lot of fun.”
Going somewhere exotic and fun is not necessary for contest entry. Whether on a warm beach or sticking around campus, imagination is what really matters to the judges.
“Creativity is the name of the game,” Berry said. “We’re not judging where you’re at; we’re judging what you do with the bag wherever you are. If you’re here on campus just reading a book, have the bag reading a book with you on the couch.”
Sophomore Philip Berntson is taking a roadtrip to Nashville, Tennessee with three of his friends for spring break. He said that they are planning to take a photo by the “super goofy” Nathan Bedford Forrest statue with their bookstore bag. The four are really looking forward to seeing that statue, Berntson said.
“I think it’s a fun way to get people to take fun pictures that everyone can see. It kind of builds a sense of community at Hillsdale College,” Berntson said.
Judges will be Artist and Teacher of Art Bryan Springer, Assistant to the Provost Mark Maier, and Associate Professor of English Lorraine Murphy.
“I’m looking forward to being an armchair traveler and seeing the world through the photos our students submit, and I expect that they’ll be wonderfully creative and fun,” Murphy said. “I take so many pictures myself, but with no artistry whatsoever, so judging this contest will expand my horizons.”
Photos will be displayed on the bookstore window for all to see after March 23. Students must submit contact information with their submission but can choose to remain anonymous on display.
“It should be a lot of fun,” Berry said. “I hope we have a lot of people.”