91�����

With Valentine�s Day holiday on the minds (and hearts) of some, two 91����� Aquinas College, California, sophomores hosted a wholesome event last weekend to encourage campus romance: black-tie speed dating in the campus coffee shop. 

On Saturday night, Anna VanWijk (�24) and Baylor Gee (�24) � with the help of their coffee-shop crewmates � transformed St. Cecilia Hall�s beloved café into a 1920s speakeasy: The Cecilian Corner. Artisan mocktails, cheese platters, sepia lighting, and live music, courtesy of Abigail Francis (�22), elevated the space from a fun hangout into the fitting setting for an elegant soiree.  

�Historically, the coffee shop has hosted a speed dating event every year,� Anna said. �This year, when Baylor and I were asked to put it on, we knew we wanted to go above.� Rather than emphasizing �quantity over quality� in terms of dates, the event encouraged greater intimacy. Fun, yet challenging, questions were posed to pairs, who were given extra time to discuss their answers. �We wanted something deeper; more sophisticated and intellectual,� Baylor shared. �We wanted people to have conversations where they might learn how someone�s mind works, or what their childhood was like.�

�We put in a lot of hard work,� Baylor acknowledged. �We did a lot of organizing, advertising, and set-up to transform the space.� The crew�s efforts were instrumental, with everyone involved contributing to food, set-up, or organization. �It went really well,� said Anna. �Everyone was really receptive to it � after all, the event is only as good as the conversations you have.� Added Baylor, �I think this will be an event people remember for their whole time at TAC.�