Freshmen Olivia Prauner and Brianna Wright show off their animals from “Build-A-Boo.”
The week leading up to Valentine’s Day began with a brisk chill, capped off by an unexpected snow day. Undeterred by the wintry weather, PRISM embarked on their annual celebration, “Doane is Love,” an initiative dedicated to love, acceptance and allyship themes.
The celebration originally started with a single event in response to anti-LGBTQ speakers in Crete.
“[They] decided to extend an invitation to the community to celebrate love in every form at Doane instead of adding attention to the hateful messages the Westboro church was trying to spread,” senior Rowan Jolkowski, president of PRISM, said. “It was a huge success and we try to honor that event by having a space to talk about Love in all forms yearly.”
This tradition has turned into an entire week of events culminating in the Valentine’s Boo Bash. Throughout the week, clothespins with words of affirmation were spread across campus. Done in collaboration with The Kindness Project, this event could help those struggling with the new year, especially during a week of love.
On Tuesday, Feb. 11, the cold kept many students indoors, yet those who dared to venture out to the Hulk Smash Rage Room found themselves in a frenzy of joy and laughter.
“To be completely honest planning Doane’s love was difficult with everything going on,” Jolkowski said, “but my favorite thing to plan was the ‘Hulk smash’ rage room with CAPE and Active Minds.”
A makeshift tent in the corner of the Brodie basement was transformed into a target where students unleashed their pent-up frustration among shattered plates and flying debris.
“This year the rage room was a big hit and it was nice to see how many people came to support us and their other friends helping with the event,” Jolkowski said.
But as the cold temperatures persisted, the following day brought another curveball: Crete campus declared a snow day. Regrettably, this meant PRISM had to cancel the “Be an Action Hero” event, which was designed to equip students with essential resources for advocating against anti-LGBTQ legislation, contacting local senators and unpacking the current administration’s stance on LGBTQ issues.
“I personally have been affected by Nebraska legislation targeted at trans people,” Jolkowski said. “Nebraska Medicaid used to cover my testosterone injections which is gender-affirming care that has done my physical and mental health worlds of good, but after LB574 was passed off to the DHHS for regulation, the DHHS decided that anything gender-affirming care isn’t covered by the state and I have to pay about $100 a month for it now.” Jolkowski said.
Students choose from a number of options for which boo to build.
Jolkowski went on to say that PRISM is a “space for all and for anyone needing support in this political climate” and that those worried should reach out to someone they trust.
“You are enough just as you are and you are resilient. You do not have to do this alone,” Jolkowski said.
Collaborating with the Student Programming Board, PRISM hosted “Build-A-Boo” the next day, an event that saw two hundred cuddly stuffed animals finding loving new homes. Students formed an eager line before 11 a.m. Once signed in, participants received stuffing and chose their new plush companions—options included a rhino, a blue dragon, a highland cow and a mammoth. The highland cows and mammoths quickly emerged as favorites, but rhinos and dragons also won over hearts. With two designated times to secure a fuzzy friend, it was no surprise that every last stuffed animal was claimed by the day’s end.
That same evening at Lakeside, an allyship trivia event took place. The theme, “What Does a Hero Look Like?”, encouraged participants to explore how to foster a supportive and knowledgeable LGBTQ-friendly community on campus.
As Valentine’s Day arrived, the week of festivities culminated in an evening filled with karaoke and dancing. The aptly named Boo Bash unfolded in the Art & Ed building from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The night commenced with karaoke, which Jolkowski commented “almost no one showed up to the karaoke part of the evening.”
While many students had left campus for their own Valentine’s plans, Jolkowski was hoping for the support of musical groups on Doane.
“They said they were going to ask but I never heard back and then none of their members showed up to the karaoke evening,” Jolkowski said. “I know a lot of them are involved in theater and other things but it did sting a little bit.”
However, when the clock struck 9 p.m., the area transformed into a dance party with food, a cash bar, enticing prizes and a live DJ. Singles, couples and anyone in search of a joyful evening braved the frigid temperatures, all drawn together for an unforgettable night that wrapped up the 2025 Doane is Love week.
