Pepperdine Graphic

Class of ’25 Comes Together to Rock the Brock

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Seniors [pictured left to right] Madi Billingsley and Amelia Monroe smile for a picture Aug. 30, at the Brock House. They gathered together for their annual senior tradition, Rock the Brock. Photos by Olivia Schneider

Pepperdine Seaver College seniors headed to the home of President Jim Gash and first lady Joline Gash on Aug. 28 to enjoy a night filled with dancing, raffle prizes and being together as a senior class.

The night began with the Gashes personally welcoming every student to their home with a handshake.

“Lean into who you have become at Pepperdine,” Gash said. “Make sure to stay in touch with the faculty and staff, who love you and will be rooting for you.”

President Gash and first lade Joline Gash greet the seniors as they enter the event Aug. 30, at the Brock House. The Gashes personally welcomed each student.

Rock the Brock is an annual tradition which was created in 2011 by President Andrew K. Benton, according to previous Graphic reporting. Gash has carried on Benton’s tradition.

Senior Sydney Wilson said one item she has on her senior year bucket list is to go to a Pepperdine workout class.

“I have a goal to go to every event I possibly can,” senior Gabriella Baneulos said. “I want to get as involved on campus as I can because I will never have another opportunity like Pepperdine.”

Seniors [pictured left to right] Lindsay Hemming and Lexie Deitemeyr smile as they spend time together at the Brock House on Aug. 30. They spent the night talking, taking pictures and dancing.

Senior Drew Morris said he is both happy and sad, but excited to move on to what’s next.

“It’s exciting to move onto the next chapter, but it’s also hard to leave Pepperdine,” Morris said.

Seniors [pictured left to right] Micaela Shackleford and Molly Sheridan take advantage of the dance floor Aug. 30, at the Brock House. Students danced to songs such as, “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon and “Baby” by Justin Bieber.

Throughout the night, there were various raffle prizes awarded. The first batch of prizes included an alumni swag bag, four tickets to Dance in Flight, a $100 gift certificate to the Student Bookstore and a pair of AirPods Pro.

The second round of prizes included Disneyland tickets, two round trip domestic airfare tickets and a $1,000 Nobu gift card.

The very last prize to be given was a surfboard signed by members of the class of 2025. Throughout the night, Avesta Carrera, office manager for Alumni Affairs, encouraged seniors to sign the surfboard. Senior Rebecca Barish was the lucky winner of the surfboard.

First lady Joline Gash signs the Class of ’25 surfboard Aug. 30, at the Brock House. The surfboard was signed by the seniors as they entered the event.

To close out the night, trombone player Ricky Lucchese, took to the dance floor. Lucchese has been featured as both a trombonist and vocalist on Beyonce’s Grammy Award-winning album “Lemonade,” according to previous Graphic reporting.

Members of the Class of ’25 show off their dance moves. Seniors ended the night by dancing with their friends.

“I’m excited because I know Pepperdine has equipped me both socially and academically,” senior Camille St. James said. “But, I’m also sad because I’m leaving one world and entering the real world. It’s a bittersweet feeling.”

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Contact Alicia Dofelmier via email: alicia.dofelmier@pepperdine.edu