Last Tuesday, all classes were canceled for the second annual Pioneer Pause. 

The Pioneer Pause was created to give students a day off to relax and prioritize their mental health during the long stretch from Labor Day to Thanksgiving break. 

Events were held across campus for students to unwind. These events included a pumpkin painting contest, a free community lunch and a Sexual Health Trick or Treat. 

Sophomore graphic design major Sam Pfeifer attended the Sexual Health Trick or Treat with his friends. The event was hosted by Nurse Rebecca Harper. 

There was a raffle where students were to guess how many condoms were in a jar. If they guessed closest to the amount, they would win a prize. 

“I went dressed as a unicorn; I did not enter the costume contest, although I should have,” Pfeifer said. “I put in a guess for the amount of condoms in the jar and spent the rest of the event hanging out, listening to music and admiring the costumes. My favorite was the Remy and Linguini couples costume. I did go back through some of the stands later on and grabbed a few bags of candy.”

There were several other events that the school referred to as “grazing events.” These events consisted of a Sensory Zone, Mindfulness Zone, Sensory Zone and Outdoor Zone. No registration was required for these events. 

Deidre Cronin, a sophomore screenwriting major with an applied music minor, performed at the Sexual Health Trick or Treat for Pioneer Records. 

She spent the day with her friends but did not attend any of the other activities that the school offered.

“I had more time to spend with my friends; I was able to put down the school work that was stressing me and go to a movie with my friends,” Cronin said. “It was fun and relaxing, and afterward I got to sing for Pioneer Records. I also kind of wish I knew more about the events they were holding on campus.”

Next year’s Pioneer Pause is set to take place on Tuesday, October 29. Although students push for there to be a second pause, or for the pause to be longer. 

“I felt the pause wasn’t long enough, especially since there were so many events, and I felt pressure to spend the break going to all of them,” Pfeifer said. “I would prefer having a few days off. That would help us catch up on homework or alleviate some stress during the peak of the semester.”