Northwestern’s greatest keg event is back, and this year promises to be crazier than ever.
Steggy Keggy is an all—hall, all—out decorating extravaganza, similar to Coly Christmas.
“It’s like a whole new world,” according to sophomore Kari Vander Plaats.
Junior Emily Hegstad, the RA on Second North of Stegenga agrees: “It’s simply magical.”
The theme for this year is “Children’s Books,” so students should prepare to relive and become an active part of stories such as “Arthur,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Magic School Bus,” “Where the Wild Things Are” and more. After adventuring through each of the dorms’ six hallways (that’s right—West Wing is included), students will be given the opportunity to vote for their favorite female hallway and enjoy a root beer float.
There will be two major changes to Steggy Keggy from past years. The most noticeable will be the addition of an entire wing of boys.
“It had to happen,” said junior First North RA Brianna Wright about the decision to include the West Hall wing in Steggy Keggy. Earlier during the school year, many Stegenga residents wondered whether or not the boys would be involved, and if they were involved, what role they would play in Stegenga’s beloved tradition.
This past fall, Rebecca Alsum, the RD of Stegenga, asked the West Wing RA, senior Caleb Kester, if his hall would like to participate.
“I felt honored to be asked to be a part of it,” said Kester. “We invaded their dorm, and now they are letting us participate in Steggy Keggy—that’s really cool.”
Kester has seen lots of excitement coming from the boys on his wing, especially from the freshmen. “The whole college experience is new to them; it’s easy to get the freshmen excited about events.”
The girls’ wings are getting excited as well.
“We had about eight girls from our wing plan out the whole plot and everything at lunch,” said junior First North RA Jenna Van Oort. “Now our whole wing is getting excited.”
The girls of Stegenga are also eager to see what the boys in their hall will come up with for their theme, “Where the Wild Things Are.”
“It will be interesting to see how a boy wing does Steggy Keggy,” said Van Oort.
Junior Chantalle Reno, the RA on Third South, agreed. “It’s great; the boys will definitely add a different and fun element to the event.”
However, it has been decided that the West Wing is ineligible to win the competition for the best– decorated wing.
“I’m fine with it,” said Kester. Kester could see how it may be unfair to let the boys in on the competition. “I think the guys that come would vote for us just because we are guys, and probably more guys come to Steggy Keggy than girls, since so many of them live in the dorm.”
Junior Heather Craven, the RA of Third North, admitted that she felt “intimidated” by the boys, but “they can’t win, so it’s okay.”
Ironically enough, the other RAs feel that Craven’s wing will be the intimidating one.
“Beware of Third North,” said Wright. “Heather’s been preparing for this for two years.”
“There are a lot of good themes, and there’s good competition,” said Craven. “It would be sweet if my wing won,” but she doesn’t see a victory at hand just yet.
Ultimately, who wins the competition this year will be determined by students. Instead of having judges walk through each hall and pick a winner, students will be given the chance to vote for their favorite wing.
In order to get as many voters as possible, the RAs are encouraging all students to come to Steggy Keggy next Monday, April 11, between 9 and 11 p.m.
“I will bribe people with surprises, unforeseen adventures and possibly the night of their lives,” said Craven.
“We put a lot of hard work into this,” said Danielle Miller, RA of Second South. “It’s the most fun event on campus all year.”
“Don’t think so much,” said Reno. She encourages students to put down their books for a while, take some time for fun and “just come.”
“It will be quicker this year than it has been in the past,” said Wright. “And you get root beer floats.”
“Students should go to it just to see the guy’s wing—it’s going to be crazy!” said Kester, then changing his mind, added “Actually, just go for the root beer floats.”
Whatever your motivation for coming may be, make sure not to miss this year’s Steggy Keggy. Like junior Emma Cress said, “It’s bigger than your senior prom.”
