To celebrate the last night before the start of classes, Carolina Productions presented a magic show in the Russell House ballroom featuring magician Peter Boie, who claims he can make even the most skeptical believe in magic.
In his show Boie performed a variety of acts involving volunteers from the audience, allowing students eager to enjoy Welcome Week the chance to become part of the show.
“I had my doubts at first but then when I went on stage for that, I’m definitely a believer now,” said fourth-year exercise science student Alexandria Ebel.
The magic show featuring Boie was put on in a series of events planned out for Welcome Week by Carolina Productions.
“He’s a really good, funny magician ... When we went over who we were deciding on the committee to bring, he really stood out,” said third-year Chinese studies student Emma Smith, a member of Carolina Productions.
As a first-year student, Smith attended an event put on by Carolina Productions and met one of her best friends. In helping to plan a Welcome Week event, Smith hopes she helped new students to make similar connections.
“It just makes everything more exciting,” said first-year biology student Lydia Ebel. “Carolina's so fun and there’s been so much to do, so it’s definitely just made my first week so exciting.”
Carolina Productions began planning for the magic show before summer. When deciding on who to bring to Carolina, Smith Boie stood out because talent as a magician and sense of humor. Once Boie was approved by the committee, the contract was finalized by late June.
“Usually we have a tradition in Carolina Productions to have some sort of show on the last day before classes,” said Smith. “It’s kind of a tradition for the freshmen to get excited about everything before they have to go back to class.”
Other events that Carolina Productions will host in the coming weeks include a concert, roller disco, escape rooms and a speaker.
“I didn’t come to a lot of these events until my friend dragged to them," said Sterling Wills, fourth-year chemistry student. "But now I come to more, they’re really impressive.”