May 27, 2026
Under sunny skies on May 1, St. John’s University students gathered on the Great Lawn of the Queens, NY, campus for Stormin’ Loud, the annual end-of-school-year celebration that brings the campus community together before finals and summer break.
With carnival rides, food trucks, merchandise tents, photo booths, mobile gaming stations, sports activities, and a barbecue area for s’mores, the event gave students a chance to unwind and connect before the academic year ended. Student performers Jamie, Kemi, and My Cousin Vincent, along with local artists, warmed up the crowd before headliners ian and BKTHERULA took the stage.
Stormin’ Loud has grown steadily since the programming boards of Student Government, Inc.—Haraya: The Pan-African Students’ Coalition, the Resident Student Association, and the Student Programming Board—began considering an event like it in 2021. Created to engage the St. John’s community at the end of the school year, the festival debuted in 2022 with a 75-foot Ferris wheel, a vendor market, popular food trucks, and performances by St. John’s students, organizations, and local artists. It has since expanded into one of the University’s most anticipated spring traditions.
Students packed the Great Lawn throughout the afternoon and evening, lining up for rides, trying carnival games, and stopping at food vendors before the performances.
Among them was Jolie Barreto, a senior biology major, who helped keep a water station organized while watching months of preparation come to life. As a senior attending her final Stormin’ Loud, she said the event carried special meaning.
“Helping to organize and collaborating with the committees was such fun,” Jolie said. “It is really nice to see all the planning and brainstorming come to fruition.”
“It is bittersweet, because it is my last one; I have been to it every year that I have been here,” Jolie added. “It is such a wonderful way to bring students together. It is the best last day ever.”
Also enjoying the event was Divya Bhola, a second-year pharmacy student, who had just stepped off the Ferris wheel with friends. “During the semester, it is very hard for everyone’s schedules to align so we can get together,” Divya said. “Having this one-day event, where everyone can gather, is special.”
Aiden Shamalov, a third-year biology major, said the event gives students a chance to connect with those outside of their usual circle of friends. Aiden engaged in a Streetball basketball shooting competition with junior finance major Edward Diaz; the two had met only minutes earlier.
“It is an event where you can meet people from all different majors,” Aiden said. “When you are a biology major, you do not encounter students from Tobin every day. For that reason alone, it is fun to be here.”
That spirit of community was also evident behind the scenes. Claire Cushing, a graduate fellow in Campus Activities, distributed water to students and said one of Stormin’ Loud’s most attractive features is that it is produced for students by students.
“It really is nice to see how much everyone cares about the event, especially the undergraduate students, and how much they appreciate doing something for their fellow students,” said Claire, who received her doctoral degree in audiology at the University’s Commencement Exercises in mid-May.
Anastasia “Stacey” Kaliabakos, who finished her second year at the School of Law, said the event demonstrated the University’s commitment to student life. “I think the event has been really great,” Stacey said. “It is very impressive to see what the school can pull off for its students, and it shows it really cares about us having fun.”