For those who do not know about Peirce Date, we set two people up on a blind date at Peirce. It’s a great way for students to connect at no price. Want to go on a Peirce date? Want to find your friend that special someone? Let us know! 

This Valentine’s Day, we at the Thrill wanted to celebrate with a reiteration of one of our favorite features, Peirce Date. But this time, we’re taking it really fucking seriously. Two unwitting participants went on the most elaborate Peirce Date to date and only looked like they wanted to get raptured for 65% of it. That’s what I call good enough.

do you see the sparks flying because i do

The Participants: Devin Bean (’20) and Alex Ritter-Jenkins (’17)

The Set Up: Both participants agreed to go on the date under the guise that it was ‘totally a fun joke.’ And in some ways it was. But in other ways it wasn’t. Because we aren’t just your favorite Kenyon-related humor blog, we also care about genuine human connection and making it happen in very public spaces on our small campus. This time around, we decided to spice up the traditional Peirce Date.

the table

The Date: Alex and Devin were escorted to their table by Thrill editors Erica, Mia, and Brooke, acting waitstaff for the evening. They were surprised by the decorated table, but proceeded with the date regardless. They ordered House Salads (which the waitstaff invented on the spot in the Servery) then were left alone to chat and get to know each other. The waitstaff returned with their salads and the night’s specialty cocktail, Heart of the Ocean*. Things appeared to be going swimmingly, but they obviously thought there were no more surprises in store. They were wrong.

waitstaff attending to the pair

The Twist: We booked The Gruesome Twosome, a selection of four Kenyon College Ransom Notes, to serenade them over their tacos and panko-fried Eggs. Alex and Devin didn’t know about the musical guest, but clearly enjoyed their rendition of (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life.

The Resolution: The sun set as they finished their meals, and they shared Peirce fondue before parting ways.

How Was It?

Devin: “It was great. Everyone lied to me but it was fun.”

Alex: “It was a senior having dinner with a freshman so there are gaps in our Kenyon experiences, but we found things in common and have mutual friends. The key is to find common ground, then it’s easy to make conversation.”

Both agreed that it was the best blind date they’d ever had in Peirce, so basically mission fucking accomplished.

It’s worth noting that as soon as Devin left, Alex walked around and handed out the flowers that had been on their table to all of the women in Peirce.

*blue Powerade + seltzer water, but don’t tell them I told you