During Valentine’s week, love was in the air. Couples and friends throughout Stockton have celebrated in many different ways, and some spent the eve of the holiday at ZTA’s newest pageant, “Love Is Blind”, inspired by the popular Netflix reality show. 20 men and 20 women, both Greek-affiliated and non-Greek, signed up and answered a survey to be part of the show. Through the survey, the hosts gathered information of what an “ideal partner” was for each contestant without basing qualities off of looks alone. As they say in the show, is love really blind?

Each couple walked onstage with blindfolds guided by escorts to opposite-facing chairs in the middle of the stage. After announcing the contestants’ descriptions of themselves, their ideal partner, and ranks on “picking up” a partner on a scale of one to five, the contestants would then pick a random question out of a bowl which the hosts would read to them. The questions brought on many reactions from the packed Campus Center Theatre, from laughter, to exclamations of surprise, to whoops and applause of support, and even some “aww’s” every now and then. The answers ranged from simple to hilarious. One couple even revealed that they both got out of potentially toxic relationships which brought on loud cheers and applause from their friends and onlookers. After the last couple left the stage, the audience voted on the People’s Choice couple while the judges voted for the winner. All the couples then got to see and meet each other with a hug onstage at the awards ceremony.

The pageant was a huge success, bringing a large amount of donations from students towards their philanthropy, Breast Cancer Education and Awareness. The money from this event will go to ZTA’s partners; Bright Pink, the NFL, and the American Cancer Society. In total, “Love Is Blind” helped raise $1,000 for this very important cause. ZTA’s philanthropy manager, Julia Brunini, was very pleased with how the pageant turned out. “We had an awesome turnout. I’m really happy to see the Campus Center Theater so packed! It was a little stressful planning it and getting it ready, but it was definitely worth it,” Brunini commented enthusiastically. Isabella Barbera was on Brunini’s philanthropy team. Barbera commented, “I’m very happy with the event, and I’m glad everyone came out for a good cause.” Both had fun planning and hosting the event with the contestants.