The Activities Program Board (APB) hosted Valentine’s Bingo on Thursday night, bringing relaxation, fun and a chance for Shippensburg University students to win prizes.

Students entered the Ceddia Union Building multipurpose room to a scene of pink table cloths, doily hearts and rose petals. Students filled seats and tables quickly, but it did not stop others from sprawling on the floor with their friends.

Junior Christopher O’Connor, a member of APB and co-organizer for the event, said Valentine’s Bingo helps students de-stress from schoolwork.

“It keeps everyone focused and excited for something to come up,” O’Connor said.

Two screens projected the numbers called and the pattern needed to win the round. Most rounds required the standard row, column or diagonal pattern to win, but other games used Valentine’s-themed pictures such as an arrow, a diamond or the number 14. Students scribbled out the pattern on their boards before each round to ensure their best chances at winning.

Junior Owen Moreland is a common face at APB’s bingo events and was excited to partake in another one.

“I’ve been to pretty much every bingo Ship’s held here since last semester,” Moreland said.

Prizes ranged from small gifts to household décor. Gift cards to restaurants and a movie basket were among the first prizes won, while a television, bean bag chair and futon were for the final winners of the night. O’Connor, who helped choose the prizes, said they valued more than $1,000.

“I think it’s really cool to pick out prizes for kids to win,” O’Connor said.

O’Connor said the 16 board members and three advisers of APB decide which events will be held each semester.

Multiple bingo nights are held throughout the year, including ones to celebrate Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day and winter holidays, according to O’Connor.

Makenna Kressley, a sophomore and fellow APB organizer for Valentine’s Bingo, said the event was a way for everyone to celebrate the holiday.

“Even if you don’t have a date or something, you can still get together with friends and have fun,” Kressley said.

Students chatted while blotting game boards and listening for numbers needed to win. Background music filled the room, and songs such as “Love Story” by Taylor Swift spurred sing-alongs from the crowd.

Talking subsided as tension grew and spaces filled up on game boards.

Finally, a cry of “Bingo!” ended each round, breaking the silence and generating groans of disappointment from the crowd.

After having their board checked for accuracy, the winner went to the stage to claim a prize.

Junior Kelly Cropper was a winner who went home with a bean bag chair.

“I’m really excited because I never win anything,” Cropper said.

The last round of the night required a bingo pattern in the shape of a heart. After a long silence, a group of students finally shouted out “Bingo!” and was awarded the grand prize of the night — a futon.

With the prize table empty and game boards filled, students left Valentine’s Bingo with prizes, friends and an introduction to the upcoming holiday.

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