By Brandon Robinson worked out five days a week at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. He balanced weights, cardio and a semester full of classes only to find out that he won Owen’s Condition for Tuition.
As part of his prize, Robinson will be provided with full tuition for next spring.
Robinson was randomly chosen to win free tuition for the spring semester at the grand finale for the third semiannual Condition for Tuition competition that the SRWC hosted for in the MAC gym on Thursday.
Students were required to complete different types of fitness activities over the semester in order to get their name in the drawing for free tuition. Josh Owen, CEO of Owen’s Trimodal in Long Beach, is the sponsor of the tuition prize.
Robinson said that he was surprised he won.
“Pretty much unbelievable, I guess you could say just because there’s a lot of people, and it’s one in probably a couple hundred, and you hear your name, and you’re just like, ‘Wow,” Robinson said.
Other prizes were awarded throughout the event. The second place winner for Condition for Tuition received a 7’2” Channel Islands surfboard.
This semester’s participation for the competition totaled more than the previous two semesters combined with 2,200 participants, according to ASI Communications Director Christina Esparza. In the previous semesters, participation was only in the hundreds.
The event had various activities and prizes for students to enjoy. Free Chipotle burritos were given for the first 200 students in attendance, and students were able to make colorful sand bottles and Frisbees or get balloon animals and henna tattoos. Attendants could also play games like football and basketball.
Prior to the event, Fitness Room C was renamed Pura Vida and dedicated to Joshua Owen and his family.
Last semester’s winner Arzoo Shaikh was at the event as well. She gave a speech of gratitude at the room dedication to the Owens family and enjoyed the festivities.
“It was crazy [to win]. When I won, I was like ‘Oh my God,'” Shaikh said. “It was a really good experience. The money really helped me out.”
Esparza said that Condition for Tuition will be held next semester, and she hopes that more students will sign up.
