Jeremiah Germany-Casey, Frances Lasalle, and Alex Wilson pose in front of the “Guess That Song” game’s wheels. Photo courtesy of Marissa Johnson.
Student Productions partnered with several other on-campus organizations to host “Guess That Song,” an event in which students guessed the names of popular songs to win a variety of prizes.
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By Marissa Johnson
TAMPA, Fla. — On April 1, Student Productions hosted “Guess That Song” — a multi-organization event on Grand Center Lawn. Over 300 students registered to attend the event. Participating students could win a number of prizes by doing just what the event’s title suggests: guessing the name of a song.
Students played the game one-by-one, with host Jeremiah Germany-Casey and cohosts Alex Wilson, Diana Soria, Franchesca Lasalle, and Ian Butash guiding them through the process. The line was, at times, up to 20 students long.
For Wilson, Soria, Lasalle, and Butash, this was their first time hosting. All of them are looking to join the board next year, and were able to get experience with the process to bring into their applications.
Wilson, Soria, Lasalle, and Butash in front of Student Productions’ office. Photo courtesy of Jeremiah Germany-Casey.
Host Jeremiah Germany-Casey, senior psychology major, talked about the experience of hosting, describing it as “really, really fun.” He “enjoyed every second of it,” and was glad to be able to give “people that student-productions-magic experience.” This was Jeremiah’s second time hosting the “Guess That Song” event, but the first time “on this scale.”
Jeremiah Germany-Casey and Alex Wilson are behind the game’s wheels. Photo courtesy of Marissa Johnson.
To play, a student would step up to a set of multicolored wheels, each featuring different artists, categories, or genres. The student would pick one, and then give the wheel a spin. Then, a clip of a song from the corresponding spoke the wheel landed on would play. The clips lasted around 20 seconds, allowing the student plenty of time to consider what song was playing. Then, the student would guess.
If they got it right, they became eligible to win a variety of prizes, including a TV, multiple sets of AirPods, plush key chains, Starbucks gift cards, and more.
To make sure all students had fun with the game, students were allowed a second guess if they first got the song name wrong, and if they were really unsure, they were allowed to “phone a friend” in the audience.
Prizes available for students to win. Photo courtesy of Marissa Johnson.
There were also two live performances during the event from the University of South Florida band Indigo Lane and artist Jahron Luis. Students sat at nearby tables to listen or stood in front of the live performance area to listen.
Host Germany-Casey said that Indigo Lane’s performance was his favorite part of the event. “That’s something you don’t get to see on campus all the time,” he said.
The event was incredibly impactful, partnering with multiple other organizations participating in fundraising and charity-focused missions.
Happy Tails, The Mercy Full Project Animal Rescue, Spartans Against Homelessness, and the Environmental Protection Coalition all partnered with Student Productions to run the event.
Students who donated food or hygiene products to Spartans Against Homelessness, recyclables to the Environmental Protection Coalition, or funds to any of the organizations were eligible to receive extra entries to win big prizes.
Students and puppies at the Happy Tails booth. Photo courtesy of Jeremiah Germany-Casey.
Peer Wellness Coaching was also present at the event, and had a sign displayed for students to write their comfort songs on. Chloe Bennet, junior allied health major and peer wellness coach, talked about the importance of spreading information about Peer Wellness Coaching.
“We’re encouraging people to sign up for sessions,” Bennet said. “The turnout for the event had been pretty good, and the people were all having fun guessing the song.”
The event also saw another surprise pop-up: University of Tampa’s own Magic Man, who sat at the nearby tables performing magic tricks for students. His Instagram account grew by more than 40 followers following his participation in the event.
The organization Happy Tails also brought puppies for students to hold and play with in pens, with information about how the puppy-fostering process works.
In total, they were able to raise $448, more than double their typical fundraising amount in half the typical time they usually spend.
Megan Murray, a sophomore marine science major and Happy Tails member with a puppy. Photo courtesy of Marissa Johnson.
In speaking about Happy Tails’ booth, Hannah Van Hise, senior English major, said they “had really tiny, little baby puppies,” and that “they were very adorable.”
Van Hise said that when she arrived at the event, “around 5:00 or 5:30,” she first watched as students participated in trying to guess songs.
“They tried to make it as accessible as possible for people,” she said. “The songs they were playing were mostly very popular songs.”
She remembers hearing songs like “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish, “Call Out My Name” by The Weeknd, and “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson, the last of which she was shocked the game participant missed.
“Everyone seemed to be having a very good time. It was very social,” Van Hise said.
People were in line to guess songs, waiting to play with puppies, chatting with their friends, or going into the inflatable bounce house.
“Some people were a little scared to be in the spotlight, but once they ‘guessed that song,’ they seemed more confident,” she said.
Student Productions’ next scheduled event is the “Spartans After Dark: Summer Sendoff,” currently set for Friday, April 17.