LVA students were showing support to their clubs at the “A Charlie Brown Fall Festival” on Friday, September 26th, when a dust storm kicked up, driving them inside the old gymnasium.
Sophomore guitar major and Journalism Club president Alan Hancock and his band were performing Basket Case by Green Day in the breezeway when interrupted by the dust storm. He expresses his reaction, saying, “It’s reasonable why [the teachers] shut us down. I’m still kind of mad about it. I don’t blame them. I’m just mad at the weather.” He hopes to make an encore at ENCORE, LVA’s homecoming.
Student Gabby Davis was front row to the interrupted performance. She recounts, “He was rocking out. They were all doing a great job… [The people in the crowd] started moshing. So much fun. Then Mr. Hager came and broke up the mosh, and then the wind came and started moshing for us. My eyes were very much being penetrated by minerals… It was such a blast. The wind really added to the ambiance. Everyone was super hype and it was so much fun. I feel like the wind, rain, and severe dust particles…added to the experience.” The National Weather Service did not issue a Dust Storm Warning, but a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, as other parts of Las Vegas experienced heavy rains, and the wind speeds exceeded 58 mph. The dust storm that ensued was likely a result of the strong winds being exacerbated by the loose dirt from LVA’s active construction sites.
Tracey Turner, president of Be The Light, a club aiming to create a safe, faith-based, Christian community, was managing their booth inside the old gymnasium when students were rushing inside to shelter from the dust. She recounts, “I was married to my booth… All of a sudden, a crowd of kids walks in. They’re like, ‘It’s a dust storm! Everybody stay inside! My dad’s here! I don’t know what to do!’ I just start praying. I was like, ‘Jesus! Help us! We’re gonna die!’ Everybody calmed down, people started getting bus passes… so maybe we’re not gonna die. Thank you Jesus… That was fun. I was inside. I feel bad for the people who were outside.” Towards the end of the club fair, at 3:45, the wind had dwindled and there was a light sprinkle of rain. Ultimately, everyone was able to get where they needed to be safely.
Despite the storm, the LVA “A Charlie Brown Fall Festival” was still enjoyable for many students, with performances, booths, and games that raised funds for various clubs on the campus. Current clubs and their meeting times can be found on the Canvas morning announcements.
