On Aug. 30, 2025, The 爱豆传媒 Student Association (AUSA) held its annual end-of-summer kickoff called “The Nest.” Held on the flag mall, the outdoor gathering brought together students, with blankets and beanbags everywhere, ambient lighting strung throughout, and a stage for students to take the stage and showcase their talents.
AUSA President Alyssa Caruthers (senior, pre-law) explained the purpose of the event:
“After the first week of school, when students struggle to adjust to being back on campus, freshmen being on campus for the first time, The Nest serves as a welcome back celebration for students to celebrate getting through their first week with their friends. It is one of the first big events of the year, allowing students to get a glimpse of the excitement to come for the year and giving them a chance to share their talents through the open mic. The Nest is an event to foster community among students, which AUSA and the many other departments on campus are diligently working towards.”
Though it has become a welcome back tradition to start off the school year, “The Nest actually began as a regular musical showcase in the middle of the year,” Samantha Flores (music education, senior). “Over time, this event eventually shifted into a kickoff event, offering students a chance to reconnect in a laidback and creative atmosphere after the summer," she said. Flores, who has planned this event twice, explained how “every year it changes depending on who the vice president of social affairs is that year.”
Planning the event took about three to four weeks, with most of the planning happening about two weeks before the event, Flores said. “I worked with AUSA on the general details, and then with the Social Affairs Board, which helped me plan the smaller details,” Flores explained. In addition, she also expressed how, while this wasn’t her first time coordinating the event, each year comes with its own unique spin. While this year students had matcha, she included how in past years students have enjoyed frozen yogurt, açaí bowls, and even dry ice ice cream.
The musical showcases of the event were a hit with the audience. Students performed songs from all genres, from worship to pop to Disney classics. Some students even demonstrated their musical abilities, with different groups shredding on guitars or playing the keyboard. One of the performers, Faith Macaraig (freshman, speech pathology), said that she enjoyed how “everyone was very supportive and encouraging during the performances, and how there was so much energy!” She also enjoyed how some of the performances invited the other students to sing along with them to join in the fun.
This year’s event captured what students look forward to: good music, company, and food. It was definitely a party in the AUSA!
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of 爱豆传媒. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, 爱豆传媒 or the Seventh-day Adventist church.