A telltale sign that the senior class is approaching the end of its journey is the annual invitation to Rock the Brock, a senior-only event hosted by President Andrew K. Benton. While it does come just within the first few weeks of school, it serves as a reminder that the class has only 240 days (give or take) left together.
The class of 2013 was no different, participating in the festivities at the Brock House last Thursday. Students were greeted at the door by the President’s wife, Debby and then ushered into a night they will surely never forget.
The first stop was just a few feet into the house, where seniors were encouraged to sign one of President Benton’s guitars, which was later one of the many prizes given away throughout the night.
The evening continued down a few stairs and then into the Brock House backyard that overlooks the Pepperdine campus. Seniors took turns posing for pictures in front of the background throughout the night, as many of them had not been there since their My Tie event three years prior.
No event at the Brock House is complete without a performance by Mid-Life Crisis, Benton’s rock band. The group kicked off the night with some unforgettable tunes. While it took a few songs for the senior class to warm up, it seemed as if almost everybody was on the dance floor by the end of the night.
The party even included an enthusiastic Mid-Life Crisis “Happy Birthday” rendition to Senior Brianna Wallace, who turned 22 that evening.
Among all the food, dancing, and reminiscing there were plenty of prizes awarded to various senior class members. When seniors picked up their nametag at the beginning of the night, a matching tag was put into a raffle box, where the luck of the draw sent many seniors home with some spectacular prizes.
Some of the gifts included Benton’s guitar, signed by the senior class, which was given to Jesse Perez. Several Waves of Relief cash prizes were distributed in the amounts of $1,000, $2,000 and a grand prize of $5,000. The grand prize went to Michael Foreman, who was absolutely ecstatic by the surprise.
For future reference underclassmen, make sure you don’t leave the partying area until after all the prizes have been given away. If you are not present when/if your name is called, the hosts pick another name from the raffle box.
Even though the prizes were greatly appreciated, the night was made by reminiscing with old friends and kicking off the beginning of a great year to come.
“Rock the Brock was just an all around reminiscent, enjoyable time with friends,” senior Haven Nutt said. “We could look back at where we started four years ago and see where we are now. It was very special.”
President Benton commented on the event, “I became a time traveler last Thursday evening. I looked at those seniors and I remembered many of them as nervous, uncertain first-year students in the fall of 2009. Now they are confident men and women looking up and looking out. I am so grateful to the faculty and others who have walked with them over the past several years encouraging them along the way.
Every class is special and each student is unique, but I can tell you that we are going to miss the class of 2013.”
