Music, poetry and stories highlight Active Minds’ night

BY ROB RICHES Assistant News Editor

e college’s Active Minds chapter held its second annual To Write Love on Her Arms night on Tuesday, April 24 at the Widener Center lecture hall.

e hall was packed to near capacity as students from all walks of life gathered to share stories, poetry, music and even several ra e prizes.

“Active Minds…does a lot of mental health advocacy and tries to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness,” Robyn Suchy, president of Active Minds, said.

Suchy started the event o with a spoken word piece, in which she proclaimed that words are powerful. Suchy then became the rst person to share a story about her past.

Sophomore English major Michelle Go became the rst person to read poetry by reading an original piece about the To Write Love on Her Arms foundation. Go was not the only poet amongst the audience, as many other students such as sophomore English major Samantha Ysais recited some of their favorite original and inspirational works.

Following Go ’s piece, junior business administration major

John Crouse brought out a guitar, a harmonica complete with a neck rack and his musical talents to share with the audience. Crouse played two covers of songs- “Catch the Wind” by Scottish musician Donovan and “I’ll Be Your Mirror” by classic rock band the Velvet Underground. Crouse also performed an original piece titled “What Do You See.”

“It felt good just to play to people, especially with the tone of the songs,” Crouse said. “ ey would understand and they would get it.”

Crouse was just one of several people who lent their musical gifts to the audience. e audi- ence also enjoyed sophomore Anie Jamgochian’s cover of Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful,” featuring sophomore Lauren Ciccariello on piano. Jamgochian also collaborated with senior Pat Schneider for a rendition of Good Charlotte’s “Hold On.”

Sophomores Samantha Shea and Leann Scherer also collaborated on a duet rendition of “For Good,” from the Broadway musical “Wicked.” Alumnus Neil Grogno also made a one-nightonly appearance to perform several original works as well.

In addition to the music and poetry, students also had the opportunity to share some of their own personal stories about any topic of their choosing. Topics ranged from depression to bullying to self-harm as well as other topics and many stories were complemented with tears. Despite the tears, the students were all there to comfort one another and pick each other up.

Following the success of the rst To Write Love on Her Arms night in 2011, Active Minds decided to bring it back.

ACTIVE, page 16