Temple University - Templar Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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Yakkity Yak, Go Ahead, Talk Back

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One of the main ways students can get involved with HootaThon is by partaking in the dance marathon. After a simple sign-up process, dancers work to raise $100 prior to the night of the dance marathon. Although this is a challenge, many students discover that fundraising is not only extremely gratifying, but also a ton of fun. Sophomore Rachael Walker has taken part in multiple can shakes around Center City with her fellow dancers. She hopes to get as many people as possible to sign up next year. I decided to get involved because my sorority made a team, Walker said. I heard that it was a lot of fun and fulfilling last year. Dancers are encouraged to create teams that can hold their own fundraising events, help each other to reach their goals and get other student organizations to advertise the event. Junior Shannon McCabe is the captain for her sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma's, team. 'I have always had a love for community service, so I try to do whatever I can to volunteer and give back to the community, McCabe said. Being a team captain entails planning fundraisers, getting girls in my sorority to sign up, going to HootaThon meetings once a month and helping people reach their $100 goal. If dancing for 12 hours straight doesn't sound appealing, there are other ways to get involved. An individual can join a committee within the organization, help plan fundraising events, or advertise the main event. The money raised through HootaThon goes directly towards operations within CHOP that fund programs and activities for the patients, buy toys and materials for crafts and more. Despite the lofty goal, Hootathon managed to raise S280,620.76. WRITTEN BY LAUREN GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHED BY LIDA LECH Student Life

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In 2013, Brooks Buffington and Tyler Droll, two recent Furman University graduates, had the idea to create an anonymous Twitter-style app — a place where college students could go wild and post their strangest thoughts anonymously. Today, this app is known as Yik Yak. It's safe to say Yik Yak is extremely popular amongst college students. Its layout is similar to a Twitter newsfeed and allows users to post anything (yes, anything) that comes to mind. From questions, comments and jokes, to cries for help and campus advice — you can find it all on Yik Yak. It's proven to be a good outlet for students to post their deepest thoughts without personal backlash or attacks from the community. Yik Yak builds community. I can’t imagine college life without it. It's the best source of news for students, an anonymous Temple yakker yakked. Yakkers (the self-served name for users of the app) ask for life and dating advice on the app. Other times, the app is used to discuss more serious issues or to warn others about construction on campus. Yik Yak's almost immediate response rate is definitely its most beneficial feature. No Temple student is a stranger to TUAIerts, and many yakkers are passionate about making sure everyone knows that something bad has happened. Early in September 2015, a TUAIert was sent out that just said TUAIert with no other details. It came as no surprise that almost every yak after that said TUAIert. Turns out it was only a power outage. Students also like to tell jokes or funny stories in the hopes of receiving upvotes, similar to a like on Facebook or Instagram. In anticipation for the Papal visit, this year, a student posted a Pope joke on Yik Yak. What if the Pope reveals this weekend that he is wearing a Pope suit and is actually Tupac and he faked his death to become the Pope. Students also use Yik Yak as an outlet for venting. Most of the complaints are about homework or not being able to fall asleep. There are a bunch of students awake posting on Yik Yak at 3 a.m. Many students try to comfort each other at this time and give others advice on how to get into better sleeping habits. Another anonymous student feels at home on Yik Yak. (The best part of Yik Yak is] the connectedness we have anonymously. It's almost as if we have an instant friend at all hours of the day or night.” Students may have mixed feelings about the app in general, but one thing is clear: it makes Temple more connected as a community. WRITTEN BY LAUREN WAKSMAN