From canes to condiments

It was their turn to play, and play they did.

Decked out in bright red T-shirts with straw hats and canes, the Class of 2009 followed in the footsteps of 76 classes before them to celebrate Hey Day and officially become seniors last Tuesday.

The juniors marked the event with a picnic on Hill College Field before making the traditional march down Locust Walk, lined with seniors clutching everything from streamers and silly putty to eggs, fish and Windex and ready to throw it all at the newest reincarnations of themselves.

Stopping at College Hall, they were addressed by Penn President Amy Gutmann, College junior and class president Brett Perlmutter and Wharton senior and class president Puneet Singh.

The day of the event this year - a Tuesday rather than a Friday - raised criticism among some juniors.

"It sucks that it's on the last day of classes," said College junior Christen Littman, who wasn't able to take part in the processional because she had class.

Some juniors suggested moving the event to the first day of Reading Days or postponing it until later in the afternoon after most classes are finished. But due to changes in the academic calendar, Tuesday was the only day without any scheduling conflicts.

"It didn't affect turnout as much as it made students have to juggle more," said Perlmutter, who estimated that at least 2,100 juniors participated.

While the juniors were experiencing their rite of passage, seniors had a chance to reminisce with their own celebration. This year marked the second annual Hey Deja Vu, an event for seniors who signed pledges to throw only University-sanctioned items - streamers and silly putty - at juniors. In return, they received a free "Saving Hey Day" T-shirt at a barbecue in Perelman Quadragle.

A total of around 1,400 seniors signed the pledge, double the number from last year, according to Singh.

"I think every senior would agree that they had liked having stuff thrown on them," said College senior Chris Faralli.

Wharton junior Evan Feinberg agreed. "Seniors should be able to throw whatever they want - you only get one Hey Day."

Pelting items at juniors has only grown to be a tradition of Hey Day in the past five years, Perlmutter said.

This year's event proved to be messier than last year's, though it still was a notch down from previous years that prompted the creation of Hey Deja Vu. Some juniors were glad.

"I don't really mind not getting fish and eggs thrown at me," said Engineering junior Allison Capone.

There were a total of seven Hey Day-related incidents this year, compared to eight last year, according to Jared Hupp of the Division of Public Safety. Six were alcohol related and one involved a minor injury. Four students were sent to the emergency room at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where they were treated and released, according to Vice President of Communications Lori Doyle.

"Having Hey Day on a Tuesday rather than a Friday may have resulted in safer behavior," said Doyle, who described this year's event as "messy but generally safe."

"The spirit of Hey Day exists apart from ketchup and mustard," said Perlmutter, adding that the class board will solicit feedback on the event to improve it for future years.

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