51����

With Valentine’s Day holiday on the minds (and hearts) of some, two 51����, California, sophomores hosted a wholesome event last weekend to encourage campus romance: black-tie speed dating in the campus coffee shop. 

On Saturday night, Anna VanWijk (’24) and Baylor Gee (’24) — with the help of their coffee-shop crewmates — transformed St. Cecilia Hall’s beloved café into a 1920s speakeasy: The Cecilian Corner. Artisan mocktails, cheese platters, sepia lighting, and live music, courtesy of Abigail Francis (’22), elevated the space from a fun hangout into the fitting setting for an elegant soiree.  

“Historically, the coffee shop has hosted a speed dating event every year,” Anna said. “This year, when Baylor and I were asked to put it on, we knew we wanted to go above.” Rather than emphasizing “quantity over quality” in terms of dates, the event encouraged greater intimacy. Fun, yet challenging, questions were posed to pairs, who were given extra time to discuss their answers. “We wanted something deeper; more sophisticated and intellectual,” Baylor shared. “We wanted people to have conversations where they might learn how someone’s mind works, or what their childhood was like.”

“We put in a lot of hard work,” Baylor acknowledged. “We did a lot of organizing, advertising, and set-up to transform the space.” The crew’s efforts were instrumental, with everyone involved contributing to food, set-up, or organization. “It went really well,” said Anna. “Everyone was really receptive to it — after all, the event is only as good as the conversations you have.” Added Baylor, “I think this will be an event people remember for their whole time at TAC.”