BANANA BASH

Students celebrate 22nd annual ‘Banana Day’ at West Chester University

WEST CHESTER » Yellow was the color of the day at West Chester University Wednesday. With the sun shining students took to the Academic Quad to enjoy “Banana Day,” the annual rite of spring begun 22 years ago by alumnus Rodolfo “Rudy” Tellez, to celebrate school spirit.

The University Steel Drum Ensemble played the soft sounds of island music outside the residential dorms. Students had the chance to take part in banana-themed events across campus such as the banana toss – attempted after spinning around in a circle until nearly nauseous, warning tossing your lunch was a disqualification.

At Sykes Student Union students took a banana apart and then put it back together again using only toothpicks and tape.

“It’s a day to goof off and relieve stress before finals,” said sophomore Liz Walicki. “It’s really nice to have a day were the entire school comes together.”

One of the most popular activities was on the Academic Quad for the banana toss, much like an egg toss, involving teams of two throwing the fruit to each other as they moved farther and farther apart. Students battled for the chance to win a much coveted T-shirt, given only to the winners.

“I love Banana Day,” said WCU sophomore Julia Walker of Quakertown who was playing with fellow sophomore Brittney Cuddy. “We’ve been practicing, we won last year and we’re ready to go again.”

As the contestants got farther apart the grass was strewn with squashed bananas that came up short. Walker and Cuddy won their heat, one of many held throughout the afternoon for their 2018 Banana Day T-shirt and infamy.

Banana Day is so popular it has been recognized by the National Association for Campus Activities in the “Best Campus Tradition” Competition.

College students, being environmentally friendly have begun promoting composting of the peels from the 3,000 bananas, eaten and thrown on Banana Day.

“I’ve been composting for a garden project on campus and I thought, Banana Day is so much fun we should do that,” said Tiffany Kennedy who said there are two compost piles on campus but is trying to encourage the school to add more. Students were asked to sign a petition supporting the program.

“Make sure you compost your peel,”reminded Abby Kennedy of the Students Activities Council as fellow students passed, looking for the trash. “And don’t forget to remove the stickers.”

PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA West Chester University junior Nichole Marcano of Reading runs across the Quad during “Banana Day” a 22-year running rite of spring on campus. This year, students have begun composting the peels from the over 30 cases of bananas students tossed and ate...

Jordan Creamer, a junior from Pittman, and Emily Burkhart, a sophomore from Hershey, enjoy bananas during West Chester University’s “Banana Day” a 22-year running rite of spring on campus.

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA West Chester University students take part in the banana toss, part of “Banana Day” a 22-year running rite of spring on campus. This year, students have begun composting the peels from the over 30 cases of bananas students tossed and ate during the day.

West Chester University senior Mike Wright of Springfield tosses his banana to a teammate. The event is part of “Banana Day” a 22-year running rite of spring on campus. This year, students have begun composting the peels from the over 30 cases of...

West Chester University music major, Blair Cunningham a member of the WCU Steel Drum Ensemble plays the steel drum during “Banana Day” a 22-year running rite of spring on campus. This year, students have begun composting the peels from the over 30...