Senior Sofia Boehm poses with her closest friends and family April 14. Boehm and her father bonded over their shared passion for celebrating. Photo courtesy of Sofia Boehm
In a world that rarely slows down, sometimes the greatest act of joy is finding a reason to celebrate.
Whether it’s an elaborately planned birthday party or a routine walk with a roommate, students are stepping back from the perceived mundanity of everyday life and carving out moments of celebration.
Junior Anette Ocampo said she tries to find a reason to celebrate every day.
“Celebrating life doesn’t mean you constantly need novelty,” Ocampo said. “I sometimes find myself celebrating the smallest moments.”
The People Who Make Life a Celebration
Although making the most of life and creating an excuse for curated events may be exciting, sometimes it’s simply the people who make life a celebration.
For Ocampo, she said celebrating life doesn’t require a grand occasion — just the right people.
“When I’m with my friends, we like to just gather in our apartment or wherever we are,” Ocampo said. “You don’t always have to celebrate in big ways. It can be as simple as sharing a meal, laughing together or grabbing coffee in the morning.”
Although senior Sofia Boehm loves an elaborate event and dreams of going into the hospitality business, she said her favorite part of party planning and hosting is watching her guests enjoy the night.
“The actual experience and planning matters a lot less than who you are celebrating with,” Boehm said. “As long as my closest friends and family are there, that’s what makes a celebration meaningful.”
Junior Ben Hoffman said he loves having an excuse to surround himself with his friends and greater community.
“Celebrating is a big part of community,” Hoffman said. “It’s hard to build a community without that aspect.”
Junior Ben Hoffman plays pool with his friends Aug. 17. Hoffman said he believes more companies should include an aspect of celebration into their schedules. Photo courtesy of Ben Hoffman
Being Extra Makes Life Fun
Sometimes the planning and anticipation makes for a night that will turn into an unforgettable memory, Boehm said.
For Boehm, she said she’s not new to being a little bit extra. For her 21st birthday party, she hired a pastry chef to come and create an assortment of elaborate desserts and pastries. She even made customized T-shirts and temporary tattoos with her face on them.
“It’s so fun for me to be able to plan events because I love seeing my friends have fun,” Boehm said. “I just love going all out and seeing everyone’s reactions.”
Another honorable mention from Boehm’s repertoire of parties she’s planned was a murder mystery birthday party she said she organized with her dad.
“We created an elaborate script and clues,” Boehm said. “It was just so much fun.”
Boehm fully commits to curating extraordinary experiences. Growing up with a father in the hospitality business, she said she inherited a love for throwing elaborate events — and she’s made it an art form.
Boehm and her best friends pose in their matching shirts April 12. Boehm said she custom-made these shirts and was excited for everyone at her party to wear them. Photo courtesy of Sofia Boehm
For her roommate’s birthday, Ocampo said she planned a surprise wake-up call the morning of her birthday and decorated with all of her favorite things.
“We had a whole table that was dedicated to her with her favorite snacks and cake,” Ocampo said. “Then we all just gathered around and reminisced on all the years of us being friends.”
Ocampo said she enjoys being able to see the smiles on her friends’ faces when they realize someone took the time and energy to plan a day that is dedicated to them.
“We might as well go all out and let someone know that they’re loved and seen by others,” Ocampo said. “Being able to celebrate even the small things in life helps us to not be in this instant gratification cycle we humans tend to get caught up in.”
Junior Anette Ocampo poses on a boat with her friends Sept. 10. Ocampo said she enjoys any reason for a celebration. Photo courtesy of Anette Ocampo
After graduating high school, Hoffman said he and his friends rented a house to commemorate the end of a long and challenging chapter.
“We all got to go to one place and celebrate finishing that chapter,” Hoffman said. “It was just a surreal moment of realizing that we had all finished something very difficult, and we got to celebrate that together.”
Work Hard Play Hard
College is an opportunity for students to learn and grow inside and outside of the classroom, but the constant pressure of performing well in school can cause students to become overworked. Hoffman said having something to look forward to can help with motivation.
“After working hard all week and putting a lot of time and effort into their studies and efforts to be successful,” Hoffman said. “It’s good to celebrate that and be with the community that you work hard with.”
Ocampo said she enjoys pushing herself in her studies to then be able to relax and enjoy time with friends.
Even if it’s simply looking forward to having a nice dinner, Boehm said she tries to treat herself to something special after she overcomes a challenge.
“After a hard week of work,” Boehm said. “I like to reward myself with mini celebrations like shopping or getting a nice dinner.”
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Contact Haylie Ross via email: haylie.ross@pepperdine.edu
