" We make trips to Wal-Mart when we're bored, often to buy things we don't need." - freshman Rebecca Rozear 32 II student life " searcy life Wal-Mart offers more than just merchandise, some say W hen both money and creative ideas were running low, many Harding students fou nd themselves in one of the few places in Sea rcy that didn't dose at night, the Wal-Mart Supercenter. With everything from food toclothing to electronics, Wal-Mart had what a college student needed to get through the semester, induding entertainment. "We make trips to Wal-Mart when we're bored, often to buy thi ngs we don't need," freshman Rebecca Rozear said. "We have lots of fun in the kid section," SaJes and seasonal stock are other incentives that appeal to students in search of things to do. "Wal-Mart at Halloween is the best time to go," freslunan J.8. Hewatt said. "After Halloween the candy is 75 percent off and costumes are everywhere." In fact, some Wal-Mart events were so enticing that a few students, like sophomore Dennis McCarty, were willing to risk a curfew violation. "My friend Kyle dragged me to Wal-Mart and we stayed until 1 a.m. to get the 'Finding Nemo' movie," McCarty said. "He really wanted to get it the day it came out. The Wal-Mart personnel were very helpful and tolerant." Curfew violations were not the only kind of trouble some students risked . Rowdy behavior sometimes caused problems with Wal-Mart security, as sophomore David Renner and junior Taylor Plott discovered. One Saturday night during the fall of 2002 Renner and Plott went to Wal-Mart with a group of friends. Renner went into the tool section while Plott and friends made their way to the fish tanks. With a hollow candy cane decoration in hand, one of Plot~ s friends began blowing bubbles in the fish tank. "AUthe fish went crazy," Plott said. 'They were banging against the walls of the tank. Then an undercover security guard came out and yeUed at us." Unaware of the commotion at the fish tanks, Renner appeared to show his friends a tool he found. "I innocently came out wielding an ax, and the guard yelled at me too," Renner said. "And I didn't do anything." After reprimanding the group, the guard told them if they caused any more trouble, they would have to leave. Since that time, both Renner and Plott said they have been on their best behavior while at Wal-Mart. Despite some of the rambunctious activities Harding students engaged in while in her store, Wal-Mart Personnel Manger Rita Willbanks said that students were always welcomed at Wal-Mart, even if just to hang out. "You never know, they might decide to buy something," she said. - Meghan MicJmeIs01I While working on homework ar sipping coffee, senior Jay Ellis ar sophomore Mandy Brown study Midnight Oil Coffeehouse Nov. 18. Tt coffeehouse hosted local bands sue as Satchel Boogie and was a popul hang out for students. (Photo t Melissa Wilso
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