On Feb. 12, 2024, ‘the Cook’ sent out a mass email to Meredith students announcing that she had made a special Valentine’s cake for the Meredith students and other cast and crew members from “Alice in Wonderland” to enjoy. The event was set to take place on Feb. 14, 2024, at 10 a.m. and was introduced as both a Valentine’s Day celebration by the Cook and an “Alice in Wonderland” After Hours Party by ‘the Dodo’ as they welcomed the guests that attended the celebration.
The crowd at the event was lively and cheerful, with some showing up in pink and red attire to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Once the event started, ‘the Dodo’ introduced a few of the cast and crew members to the guests, including ‘the Cook,’ ‘the White Night’ and those who worked behind the scenes. ‘The Cook’ made an appearance on the second-floor balcony overlooking the Johnson Hall rotunda to wave to the guests, and soon “the Dodo” called for Professor Cathy Rodgers to cut the first slice of cake.
There were three cakes present. One large red velvet cake was decorated with sprinkles and included a poem by Katie Avants, along with a piece of artwork. There were also two smaller cakes with simple border decorations. Despite the email sent by ‘the Cook,’ there were some debates over whether she had made the cake or not. Some students, like Nia Simpson, believed that ‘the Cook’made the cake with help from Catering services. Another student, Ryleigh Skeeters, shared that, because of sources like the Dodo’s introduction and the email that students received, she believed that “the Cook” did bake the cake. Skeeters also said that she was led to believe the cake was homemade because of its icing and how it tasted. Aside from that, both students reportedly enjoyed the cake and said that it was good.
Katie Avants spoke with The Herald about how her poem was chosen for the cake topper and about her creative process. Avants explained that she works in the Alumnae House and that every year they send valentines to donors. This year, her boss gave her the opportunity to write the poem as part of a Valentine’s Day gift to donors. She said that, while writing the poem, she wanted to incorporate Meredith references like the 100th anniversary of “Alice.” She shared that she didn’t know her poem would be chosen to be a part of the celebratory “Alice” cake and that she was “pleasantly surprised” when she showed up to the event.
Throughout the celebration, the “Alice” soundtrack was played as background music while guests enjoyed their cake. While the cake was being cut and served, attendees were encouraged to socialize with one another, and Meredith students were given the opportunity to interact with the characters from “Alice.” The characters were giving out autographs at this time as well as taking pictures with students. The “Alice in Wonderland” celebration drew a weekend’s worth of celebrating the “Alice” tradition to a close.
By: Elaina Irving, Reporter
Photo by Grayson Morris