Law School Organizations Bring Communities Together at Carter Mountain
On Thursday, September 24, members of the Law School community ventured to higher elevations for an evening of community, togetherness, and unmatched fall vibes.
Chiles Family Orchard’s Thursday Sunset Series has been a beloved nearly-end-of-week treat for members of the Law School community for years. Every week from mid-April to the beginning of October, Chiles Family Orchard—situated at the top of Carter Mountain—hosts a Thursday-night event featuring live music, craft ciders, and sensational food offerings.
Shannon Santos ’28, the Social Programming Chair for the University of Virginia Black Law Students Association (BLSA), appreciated the opportunity to engage with other students outside of the law building. “The school year moves quickly, so it was fulfilling to connect with students across classes outside of school,” she said.
“Engaging with organizations that represent the many intersections of identity at UVA Law matters to me,” said Santos. “We are all students, but these groups remind us of the interests and identities that make this school special.”
Beyond allowing students to spend time with others within their own organizations, Affinity Org Night at Carter Mountain brought together a diverse array of communities at the Law School.
“At this event, you can really see how many different communities are present at the law school and how excited folks are to have space to explore and embrace their identity,” said Tyler Donovan ’28, Vice President of Social Engagement for Lambda Law Alliance.
“I think it’s especially fun to see how many people are moving between the different affinity groups, as that really highlights the intersectionality of our student body,” Donovan said. “You’ve got people roaming between JLSA and OWLS, APALSA and Lambda, and so on. People don’t fit cleanly into just one box, so I think the affinity org night is such a lovely opportunity to celebrate that.”
And celebrate they did. Kurt Crandall & True Story provided the live music for the evening. The band—described on the program as “A blend of Chicago blues, west coast swing, and Kansas City jump”—exemplified the richness that comes with diverse roots.
Additionally, Carter Mountain offers a wide range of craft ciders and cocktails. And the food is nothing to sneeze at, either. In particular, the famous apple cider donut is what generated the most buzz across all communities.
Donovan described the treats as “simply divine, especially when they are hot and fresh.” Some students found them more addictive than others.
“One of our members ate a dozen on Thursday,” said Santos. All in all, the event provided sufficient dopamine hits to distract all participants from the harsh reality of law school.
“I think it’s amazing that we had so many people from the law school take a little break from working to take a moment for some rest and joy.”
The chances for connection don’t solely exist on the mountain, however. The Law School’s affinity groups have a host of events in the near future.
For example, BLSA’s upcoming Fall Firm Reception provides a fantastic opportunity for professional connections for all at the Law School. Additionally, Lambda will host the hottest Halloween party in Charlottesville—Halloqueen—at IX Art Park on October 30.
Author: Emma Lawson ’28, hzk2ny@virginia.edu