By Taylor Kelley
News Editor
During office hours on April 18, Link Crew hosted a wellness-themed version of its annual Costachella event which included performances by student music groups and activities hos-ed by on-campus clubs. Costachella included decorations, booths, and activities promoting wellness throughout the Mustang Mall. Costa clubs supporting mental health and self-care participated, including H.E.A.R.T. Club, Morgan’s Mes- sage, Dear Asian Youth, Letters to Strangers Club, and Meditation Station.
“The event is inspired by musi- cal festivals, like Coachella, that feature different performances and activities during the show,” said Link Crew advisor Maddie Hutchinson. “This year’s theme was wellness, so all booths centered on physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Students could create art, design their own journals, play games, or learn about skills like box breathing.”
Highlights of the event included a raffle with prizes from Califor- nia Pizza Kitchen and Bolt Cof- fee, as well as a mystery prize. There were spike ball nets and Frisbee challenges throughout the Mustang Mall, in the 40’s hall- way, Link Crew members stood with post-its for students to respond to prompts written on along the “Dream Wall.” The Sax Pack, Costa Chops, Chamber Orchestra, Coterie, Muscle, Closeout, and the cast of Drama/Tech’s upcoming musical Footloose performed on the Mustang Mall stage.
“We performed [our] opening number, Footloose,” said senior and Drama dance captain Natalie Cooper. “Costachella is a great opportunity for the cast to give fellow students a taste of the show and build up the hype and engagement.”
According to Hutchinson, this is one of Link Crew’s largest events. Link Crew designs and runs booths, sets up the “Dream Wall,” finds student bands and performers, runs the Costachella social media account, finds clubs to participate in, and more.
“Costachella is important for all students at Costa because it reminds us that we can still have fun during the school year, even as AP testing and finals approach,” said senior Link Crew member Lindsey Pulver. “This event also al- lows clubs to raise awareness for their cause and potentially recruit new club members.”
According to senior Link Crew Costachella lead Jillian Rodriguez, the Link Crew class and members spent months leading up to the event communicating with clubs, musical groups, and local businesses to sponsor the event. According to Rodriguez, Costachella brings the campus together and gives the musical groups at Costa a chance to show off their skills with a new theme every year.
“Costachella is important because it empowers students to step into the spotlight, whether they’re on stage or running activities,” said Hutchinson. “It also creates a really fun, interactive atmosphere that infuses the day with joy and energy. I’m a huge fan of anything that centers student voices and helps people see their campus in a new, positive way, and I think events like this do just that.”
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