Students sample non-alcoholic 'mocktail' drinks

"Zomething Different" captured the attention of hundreds of students as they converged on Locust Walk yesterday afternoon to experience "Safer Sex on the Beach" and "Acid Drop." As part of Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness Week, students sampled 12 non-alcoholic concoctions at the fourth annual Mocktails Contest sponsored by the Office of Drug and Alcohol Education. "The Mocktails Contest is an event that everyone can enjoy," said College senior Adrienne Frangakis, co-coordinator of the week's events. She added that this is the first year the events have been entirely student run. "It's on Locust Walk, an ideal location. People can't help but get caught up in it." Second-year graduate student Lisa Dolgoff co-coordinated the events with Frangakis. She emphasized that the purpose of the week was to create an atmosphere where the main focus was not on drinking. "We're hoping this will catch on," Dolgoff said. "This week was planned to make people aware before Fling so they'll drink responsibly." College senior Jason Feinstein acted as master of ceremonies for the drinking festival. He introduced performances by campus a cappella group Penny Loafers, Arts House Dance Company and comedian Waverly Yates. "I'm so excited. I love being an M.C.," he said. "This is the most exciting thing that has happened in my four years at Penn." College freshman Lisa Ohebshalom became involved in the event through her sorority. She praised her sorority's mocktail, "Lite as a Kite," because it is fat-free and kosher. "A sugar high has its privileges," she explained. Wharton and Engineering junior Jeremy Morrison, co-president of the Wharton Management Club, manned a table for the "O.J. Simpson Drink." "We think too often that business is associated with going out and drinking after a hard day's work," he said. "I'm really impressed. A lot of people are here and it looks like everyone's having a good time." Engineering junior Debbie Fox, who ranked "Coco Loco" as her favorite drink, agreed. "I think it's really nice for all these groups to be out here supporting this," she said. College senior Jeff Gershkowitz, who attended the event to support his fraternity's "Root'n Tooty Fresh'n Fruity Beverage," won a book by Maya Angelou. "I think this is a good idea -- if nothing else, it shows people there's an alternative" to drinking, he said. College freshman Gwen Baron voted for "Strawberry Smoocher" and won a $35 gift certificate to Godiva Chocolates. She said she thought the University should definitely sponsor more events like the mocktails party. "It makes Locust Walk a more active place and it shows unity in the student body," Baron said. Alcohol and Other Drugs Awareness week continues through the weekend, featuring speakers, movies, workshops and the "Safest Party on Campus" Saturday at Chats.