A waffle is topped with ice cream and sprinkles during Waffleopolis on Aug. 19 at Brazos Park. The event was a collaboration among multiple campus departments.
Thirty minutes before Waffleopolis was set to begin, crowds were already forming around the waffle tents at Brazos Park Wednesday night; no waffles, ice cream or toppings in sight.
Bright orange and dark blue tables covered the area, colorful balloons tied to chairs and tables swayed in the wind. Students continued to migrate, anticipating the long-time UTA tradition.
As the sun began to set, music announced the beginning of waffle madness. Students moved through the lines, getting a waffle, ice cream and the usual toppings: sprinkles, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, syrup and cherries.
Attendees gather and form a conga line during Waffleopolis on Aug. 19 at Brazos Park. The event provided free waffles as well as music, glow-in-the-dark sticks and tables for people to gather and eat with friends.
Photo by Treyson Abe
Waffleopolis, hosted by Housing and Residence Life in partnership with dining, Student Activities and more, continues to bring students together for a sweet treat after 27 years, but for some the treat is bittersweet. For many seniors, this is their last Waffleopolis event.
Looking at the event retrospectively, aerospace engineering senior Jaeden Sizelove said Waffleopolis has helped him see the community around him in a different light. He said as a freshman, he was amazed by the event and the students who seemed to know everything.
“Now, it’s like ‘Man, this is really cool,’” Sizelove said. “Cause I’m not new to this anymore.”
He said this year’s event felt more relaxed compared to when he was a freshman because back then he felt stressed and a little lonely since he didn’t know anyone yet.
Aerospace engineering senior Jaeden Sizelove talks to his friends while holding waffles during Waffleopolis on Aug. 19 at Brazos Park. The event is a campus tradition that takes place during Maverick Stampede.
Photo by Treyson Abe
“My freshman year, I didn’t meet too many people, but I did meet like one or two people and they were my friends for that rest of the semester,” Sizelove said.
His last waffle at Waffleopolis was unusually big — bigger than most, topped with chocolate ice cream.
Education senior Lizeth Herrera met some of the girls who later became her sorority sisters through Sigma Lambda Gamma at her first Waffleopolis. Over the years, Herrera said she has made great memories during the events.
“I’m happy to be here because this is one of my favorite events, but I’m very sad because it is the last one,” she said. “I meet a lot of people every year I come here.”
Students gather and dance during Waffleopolis on Aug. 19 at Brazos Park. Attendees received glow-in-the-dark necklaces.
In an environment that can wear people down, the event has provided Herrera with an outlet to slow down in the early part of the semester. She said Waffleopolis provided her with a simple way to talk to people with no pressure.
“It’s pretty easy to make conversations; you can just talk about the waffles,” she said.
Public health senior Iris Nguyen and nursing senior Effua Jordan met at their first Waffleopolis as freshmen and instantly clicked, Jordan said.
“I came by myself originally, so I was just hoping to make some friends, and I made a lifelong friend,” she said.
For both girls, Waffleopolis has been a yearly tradition. Nguyen’s eyes misted as she remarked on the good memories shared with friends.
“I’m gonna miss this a lot,” Nguyen said. “This is where I met my friends.”
@atclements03