Only Love holds annual photo event

Senior acting major Syrah Sherwood photographs staff members from the Office of Student Life for the Only Love campaign, which took place Feb 21.

Written By Eddie Trizzino, Co-Features Editor

Sophomore accounting major Bradley Calleja had control of Point Park University’s Snapchat for its Takeover Tuesday on Feb. 21, documenting his school day, which included attending Only Love’s photo campaign event.

Calleja is a member of the Office of Student Life, which helped organize the annual campaign created by the Only Love Project, a non-profit organization whose goal is to raise awareness for anyone who is struggling and show them that people in their communities care, according to the project’s Facebook page.

“It’s an annual campaign created by Only Love and it’s just to make sure that Point Park celebrates love and acceptance,” Syrah Sherwood, a senior acting major and office assistant for the Office of Student Life, said.

A white photo background was set up on the first floor of Lawrence Hall where Sherwood took students’ photos with props such as rainbow colored scarves, hats and Only Love banners.

Students participating were required to sign off for permission for Only Love to use their photos before taking them, which would later appear on the organization’s website. Participants were also required to wear white shirts to match the campaign image, which were supplied by Student Life.

“It’s the exact same idea as last year, and it’s open to everyone,” Sherwood said.

In addition to Sherwood, several other members of Student Life were involved in working with the campaign.

“It’s really nice having students just walk up.” Anna Rigatti, a senior cinema major and resident educator said. “Everyone is just so willing to do it, and it just shows how accepting we are.”

Sherwood is also president of Point Park’s chapter of Not On My Campus, a student-led group that, according to their Facebook page, strives to start a discussion about sexual assault, harassment and sexual violence on college campuses. Sherwood said that several members of Student Life participate in each.

“Point Park is so diverse but also accepting,” Calleja said. “It’s important just to be accepting and understanding that we all have different backgrounds.”