On Friday, September 11, 2015, the Stockton Entertainment Team offered an exciting opportunity to tie-dye T-shirts. This was held at 4:00 PM and was scheduled to last until 6:00 PM. It ended early, due to limited supplies. Three long tables were set out on the quad next to the TRLC building and two were set up next to the picnic tables on the sidewalk of the TRLC building. The two tables were used for registration. After being welcomed and having our cards swiped, we could get in line for a T-shirt. Many sizes were available and neatly arranged for participants’ convenience. At the next table participants received gloves to wear as they used the dyes. Then, students moved to the three large tables on the Quad. Each of these tables were equipped with a plastic, disposable table cloth, several rubber bands and many spray bottles of tie-dye. The activity was very popular and a bit crowded, but manageable. The colors of tie-dye included red, orange, yellow, green, teal, blue, purple, pink and black. Naturally, many students created brown by mixing colors.

Students began the dyeing process by balling up their T-shirt and putting rubber bands around it to keep it together. Then, they sprayed the colors they wanted onto their T-shirt. Some students elected to unroll their T-shirt to get color into the area that was covered up when the shirt was balled up. Other students kept their T-shirt in a ball to maintain the clear tie-dye look. Regardless of the decision, when the participant was satisfied with her T-shirt, she could move to the last step. The last step was placing the shirt into square of torn white plastic, creating a bag out of it, and using a rubber band to close it off. This process took place at the table where shirts were given out. Once the T-shirt was placed in its plastic sheet, the student was free to go. All participants were encouraged to wash their T-shirts a few days after the event. Participants were given clear and repeated instructions to wash them alone and not with any other clothing, sheets or towels, as the dye will most likely come off of the T-shirt and stain anything that comes in contact with it.

This was a great event for students to communicate and get to know each other. By sharing the dyes and tables, students could make new friends and have fun.