POHLEES
Pohlees is an annual Donner tradition envisioned by Justin Chua. Justin was a former Donner resident and active member of Donner House Council. Justin dreamed big, and he wrote the following in an email to Helen Wang (who was the Donner Housefellow at the time):
“I proposed this to House Council and they all think it's a great idea. So we will have some sort of "Donner Activities Fair" or "Donner Variety Fair" or "Donner Night" -- whatever it is, it's gonna be BIG!
What happens is we will transform the dungeon (or if this gets really BIG, the WHOLE building) into one big variety fair, and the best part is: it's DONNERITES who will be hosting the event for themselves. What I mean is: everyone can share his talent, even for just a few minutes, so that collectively we can create a really BIG and exciting showcase of different talents through lots of games and activities.”
Sadly Justin passed away before his dream could become reality. Pohlees was created from his vision and in his memory. The name “Pohlees” was chosen in honor of Justin who liked to startle his fellow residents by yelling “Open up! It’s the pooolice!” as a way to get them to leave their rooms and engage with the community. Now each year, all the Donner residents come together to host a variety fair throughout Donner to the delight of residents and the greater CMU community.
Pohlees is an annual Donner tradition envisioned by Justin Chua. Justin was a former Donner resident and active member of Donner House Council. Justin dreamed big, and he wrote the following in an email to Helen Wang (who was the Donner Housefellow at the time):
“I proposed this to House Council and they all think it's a great idea. So we will have some sort of "Donner Activities Fair" or "Donner Variety Fair" or "Donner Night" -- whatever it is, it's gonna be BIG!
What happens is we will transform the dungeon (or if this gets really BIG, the WHOLE building) into one big variety fair, and the best part is: it's DONNERITES who will be hosting the event for themselves. What I mean is: everyone can share his talent, even for just a few minutes, so that collectively we can create a really BIG and exciting showcase of different talents through lots of games and activities.”
Sadly Justin passed away before his dream could become reality. Pohlees was created from his vision and in his memory. The name “Pohlees” was chosen in honor of Justin who liked to startle his fellow residents by yelling “Open up! It’s the pooolice!” as a way to get them to leave their rooms and engage with the community. Now each year, all the Donner residents come together to host a variety fair throughout Donner to the delight of residents and the greater CMU community.
Coffeehouses
A newer tradition originating during POHLEES in 2012, Donner hosts regular (a few each year) coffeehouses in the main lounge. This event features a stage and an open mic where students can perform rehearsed or spontaneous acts of whatever kind they wish. Each year the Donner community is rich with people who have a myriad of talents and interests, and the coffeehouses let us all share and celebrate those talents, while sipping on some delicious home-brewed coffee.
A newer tradition originating during POHLEES in 2012, Donner hosts regular (a few each year) coffeehouses in the main lounge. This event features a stage and an open mic where students can perform rehearsed or spontaneous acts of whatever kind they wish. Each year the Donner community is rich with people who have a myriad of talents and interests, and the coffeehouses let us all share and celebrate those talents, while sipping on some delicious home-brewed coffee.
Paint Party
An event that has occasionally graced the calendars of Donner House over its history, the Paint Party became an official annual tradition in 2011 when House Council came up with the idea to host one in Donner's basement and it has continued every year since. This event gives residents a chance to de-stress and let loose by throwing paint at one another with reckless abandon, simultaneously having fun and decorating their boring clothing in sporadic color.
An event that has occasionally graced the calendars of Donner House over its history, the Paint Party became an official annual tradition in 2011 when House Council came up with the idea to host one in Donner's basement and it has continued every year since. This event gives residents a chance to de-stress and let loose by throwing paint at one another with reckless abandon, simultaneously having fun and decorating their boring clothing in sporadic color.