Last year, the central theme of Mocktails  was “American Holidays.” Alpha Omicron Pi was paired with Theta Chi, and their chosen holiday was Valentine’s Day. Tomorrow, sorority, fraternities and other student organizations will be judged on drinks, booth and costumes based around the theme “Superheroes and Villains.”
Courtesy of The Lion’s Roar Staff

The Office of Student Engagement is hosting Mocktails to promote alcohol safety. The event will take place at the Strawberry Stadium parking garage on Wednesday, September 23 starting at 4:30 p.m.

However, to really prepare for the future, one has to take a look at the past. 

Think back to the year 1998. The 32nd Super Bowl between the Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers was happening. The Grammy Awards was on its 40th run, the Soul Train Music Awards was on its 11th run and Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrated its grand opening. In this same year, Mocktails at Southeastern was underway. 

Now think back before 1998. Mocktails at Southeastern was still happening. The event used to be a part of a string of week long events centered on alcohol mindfulness known as Alcohol Awareness Week, a national effort during the 1990s. 

According to a press release from October 13, 1998, “The goal of the program, which blends education, awareness and fun, is to get our students to understand the use and abuse of alcohol,” said Assistant Dean of Student Development Jim McHodgkins. McHodgkins, who is still a part of the Lion family as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, said the university participated in Alcohol Awareness Week all throughout the 90s. 

To commemorate the legend in our midst, it is only right to do a recap of past Mocktails, starting in 1998.

On October 22, 1998, Mocktails’ theme was “Majority Rules, Drink Responsibly.” The event was held in the student union mall, encompassing food, drink and people.  

In 2010, the University Counseling Center, Office of Greek Life and PEEPS hosted Mocktails. Guest speaker Erica Upshaw spoke about the heartbreaking loss of her brother to alcohol and drug abuse and the NAACP showed everyone how they mocktail under the theme “90s Cartoons.” 

In 2011, attendees dressed as the United Nations with the theme “All Around the World.”

Mocktails 2012 was especially enjoyable with comedian Wendi Fox, who shared her own trials with alcohol abuse. After the pre-party in Cayman Café, organizations duked it out under the theme “When I Grow Up…” in the Strawberry Stadium parking lot. Alpha Omicron Pi and Kappa Sigma teamed up to be doctors and nurses, winning the first place title with their drink “Code Red and Blue.”

In the Strawberry Stadium in 2013, Mocktails dressed as “Inspirational Athletes and Fitness Gurus.” In that year, the winners came in three’s: a tie between Alpha Omicron Pi, PIKE and Theta Xi.

Just last year, the theme for Mocktails was “American Holidays.” The NAACP made a come back with their Christmas booth, winning the PEEPS choice award. However, best drink went to Delta Tau Delta and Theta Phi Alpha, and best booth went to Alpha Sigma Tau and Kappa Sigma.

This year, the event’s theme will be “Superheroes and Villains,” and keynote speaker Jake Byczkowski will speak at 7:00 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom. For more information on Mocktails, contact the Office for Student Engagement at 985-549-2120.