The first week of college can be scary for students, so to help students become more comfortable around campus the office of student life held a week full of events to welcome students back.

One of these events was  a “karaoke knight” a night where students sang karaoke in the Renegade Event Center or simply enjoy watching others perform. This year the event was held Thursday Aug. 29.

This event was organized by Joseph Cornejo the director of student activities and Olivia Ochoa a senator for the student government association.

Of the welcome week events both Cornejo and Ochoa said that the karaoke night was their favorite one.

Cindy Ceja-Miranda the president of the student government association explained how karaoke is something that many students love and since most of the other welcome week events happen during the daytime when students may be busy, having this event at night gives those students the chance to participate.

Many students performed a variety of songs and genres from pop to country to musical theatre.

Naomi Joy Bautista a student who attended the karaoke night said “I just love the vibes everyone is just super chill and the crowd is very encouraging.”

Students were supportive and cheerful, applauding, cheering and dancing for each other.

There were many students with different levels of comfort around singing on stage like Laura Oseguera a student who performed who said she was happy to step out of her comfort zone and student Kaleb Barnard who said he was very comfortable with being in front of a crowd because of his experience in theatre.

“I love seeing the camaraderie between students,” Cornejo explained was his favorite part of the night.

There was free lemonade and ice cream for students as well as a table set up with different Bakersfield college themed trinkets like lip balm and jump ropes.

The karaoke night marked the last day of most students’ academic week and proved to be a supportive and welcoming environment for new and returning students alike.