The time has almost come, folks.

In just a few months, seniors will be packing up their apartments, saying their final goodbyes, and walking across the stage in the Bryce Jordan Center. With so much to do and see in Happy Valley, it can be hard to cram it all into just four years. Creating a bucket list can hold you accountable and ensure you make the most of your time at Dear Old State.

Before the inevitable happens, some of our senior staffers shared what they want to check off their Penn State bucket lists.

Kyra Cunningham: Go To Every Bar Downtown

I turned 21 over the summer, so when I arrived in State College in August, I had never been to a bar here. I only have two more bars (Sharkies and the Den) on my list before I can officially say I’ve had a drink at every one. I planned a big bar crawl that is coming up soon, and these are two of the stops that I mapped out. Once I complete this, I’ll be able to confidently say Zeno’s is the best place to grab a drink in town.

Ava Brendgord: Attend The Blue-White Game

Actually going into the stadium for the annual Blue-White Game is at the top of my senior bucket list. Since the pandemic affected my first two years at school (and tailgating got the best of me last year), I have never gone in to see the actual game. 

Being in Beaver Stadium for the last time as a student is an opportunity I simply can’t pass up. See you on April 15, Beaver Stadium!

Adam Babetski: Eagles Super Bowl “Parade”

That’s in quotes because it’ll probably be a spontaneous mosh pit, but it’s one that I would love to be in. I wasn’t here for the 2018 Super Bowl or Penn State’s win over Ohio State in 2016, so I haven’t experienced a true downtown mob before. I know this entirely depends on the Eagles actually winning the Super Bowl, and I have no control over it, but I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Grease the poles, and go birds!

Sam Fremin: See James Franklin On Campus

Look, I’ve seen Penn State’s head coach more than enough times during my senior year. All of those have been in a working context, though. I feel like I’m missing out on a core student experience without having seen him traipsing through Happy Valley.

I’ve encountered just about every player on the football team (and a very sweaty Manny Diaz jogging past the Palmer Art Museum), but I’ve never caught the big one. Nearly all of my friends have seen him and it’s a well-known fact CJF frequents local businesses, so it’s quite astounding this feat still evades me. James, if you would like a copy of my class schedule, you can reach me at [email protected].

Owen Abbey: Walk Through Every Building On Campus

In my final few months at Penn State, I want to see everything it has to offer. The only way to do that is to step foot in every single building on campus.

Being an education major, there are only a handful of buildings that I spend time in. I don’t get to see a lot of the cool and interesting architecture and designs that all the other majors get. Even if it’s just five minutes, seeing all these buildings will make me feel even more connected to Penn State. Who knows if I’ll ever see them again, you know?

Grace Cunningham: Win Trivia At Zeno’s

Recently, my friends and I have been dipping our toes into the world of downtown State College bar trivia. So far, I’ve only been to Zeno’s, and let me tell you, it is not easy. However, I was always told that practice makes perfect, so I will continue to attend until I at least crack the top five. Until then, I’ll be doing New York Times crossword puzzles and reading random Wikipedia pages to prepare.

Colleen Nersten: Bellefonte Bar Crawl

Downtown State College obviously has a great bar scene, but drinking a pitcher no longer feels special. I want to pretend like I’m an adult for a night, gosh darn it! I’ve spent many weekends in Bellefonte looking at the ducks and drinking coffee from Bonfatto’s, but yet, I’ve never gone ~after hours~. 

Luckily, I’ve been mapping out the perfect way to spend a spring weekend: a Bellefonte bar crawl.

My friends and I have been itching to try Axemann, Big Spring, Tallyrand Tavern, Governor’s Pub, and even the Gamble Mill Inn. It’s now or never, folks.

Gabe Angieri: Attend Non-Football/Basketball Sporting Events As A Fan

Me being the sports fanatic that I am, I still can’t believe I’ve yet to attend a Penn State sporting event as a fan that’s not football or men’s basketball. I’ve covered quite a few other sports for Onward State or for a class, but I haven’t taken in the fan experience. It’s actually crazy.

I’d love to make my way over to Rec Hall for a wrestling dual and over to Pegula Ice Arena for some hockey before my time here comes to a close. Enjoying a ballgame on a nice spring night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park would be nice, too.

I haven’t made the most of all the exciting sports teams we have here at Penn State up to this point. I’d like to change that over the next few months.