MC Tony Nguyen as the auctioneer for the evening at AASA's charity date auction, Oct. 2.
Photo By: Emily Calhoun
Students looking to find a not so cheap date or merely mingle amongst a throng of uniquely dressed individuals found themselves attending the University of Oklahoma's Asian American Student Association's (AASA) charity date auction, Friday Oct. 2.
The 10th annual date auction and after party dance hasn't changed much since its creation, according to event chairman sophomore Peter Tran. It continues to be one of AASA's most successful philanthropy events that raises money for their charity Christmas Head Start, Tran said. This year carried on that legacy by raising over $3500 in bids and entry fees.
For a $10 under 21 price or a five dollar over entry fee into Coach's Bar on Main street, attendees were able to watch all the shenanigans ensue as OU students and AASA members attempted to auction themselves off for dates at large price tags.
"It's crazy to see what people will do in order to up the amounts bid," Tran said. "watching the date auction is definitely my favorite part of the night."
Beginning in early August, AASA members start planning the night of excitement. Discussion over the theme was first on their list. Their decision was far different than previous years.
"Last years theme was 80s and we wanted to do something really different than that," Tran said.
"Anything But Clothes" was the original theme AASA's executive members were looking for. Attendees were encouraged to wear exactly what the theme portrayed. Audience members were spotted wearing anything from tin foil dresses to twister boards shirts. Although they had a unique theme, AASA members began to doubt their selection.
"We were kind of worried about the participation, like if people were going to dress up," Tran said. "But there were some really good costumes, so I think it went over really well."
To reward audience members for partaking in the challenge; a costume contest kicked-off the night of festivities. A $50 grand prize was given to the person with the most outlandish costume made of unconventional items.
Following the costume contest, the "auction items" took the stage. The auction itself was far from traditional. The crowd began to cheer as Senior Tony Nguyen stepped up fill the shoes of the auctioneer. His enthusiastic and projective voice wielded the crowd into bidding mode.
37 students decided to put themselves up on the auction block in order to raise money for the Christmas cause. Ranging in ages, the students stopped at nothing to rake in the cash.
"I just really wanted to be involved because it was for such a good cause," junior Eva Prinh said.
During the event, the dates were sold for various prices. Senior Jamie Nguyen broke the bank with her $250 purchase prize.
Although many of the students were bought by their closest friends, Tran recounts a time last year when he found himself being purchased by an unfamiliar face.
"I got bid on by a random person I didn't know," Tran said. "It was awkward, she didn't talk at all. But in the end it wasn't that bad, It was kind of fun meeting a new person in an unconventional way."
Many audience members showed their disappointment at current AASA president Mimi Nguyen's decision to not enter herself for bids. However, the crowd roared in excitement when MC Nguyen threw himself up on stage for lucky bidders to pursue.
The after party was in full swing by 11:30 and lasted on into the night. Many students credited the club-like atmosphere of Coach's as the best part of the night.
"The event flowed from auction to after party so easily," sophomore Steffin Schoeppel said. "One moment I had this random guy that came up and asked me if I was going to be auctioned off, the next moment the floor erupted into a dance party."
All $3500 raised will go directly to Christmas Head Start, an AASA founded philanthropy. The philanthropy is based on the Angel Tree program which incorporates giving local children their dream Christmas, Tran said. AASA is instrumental in providing toys, food, and clothes to over 150 families each year.
"The manager of Coach's ended up being really nice," Tran said. "She ended up cutting the price of the venue in half, which saved us even more money and now all of that can go straight to our charity."
Throughout the night, the executive members had no doubts over the success of their event. The continued enthusiastic and packed crowd of about 287 revealed it all.
"I was really proud about how the event turned out," Tran said. "Everyone that attended, bid, or just danced was key to it's success. It just feels good to be apart of something that really will make a difference."
Event Chairman Sophomore Peter Tran discusses what the date auction benefits:
Tran discusses the difference between this years and last years date auction:
