By: Sarah Struthers
Jose Echeverria isn’t used to getting free popcorn at school.
“It felt weird,” said Echeverria, 20, a welding student at RRC Polytech, originally from Ecuador.
After seeing people with bags of popcorn walking through the Notre Dame Campus (NDC) hallway, he went to see what was going on.
More than 20 students lined up at the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Popcorn Bar in The Cave Lounge to grab a drink and top their popcorn with pretzels, marshmallows, gummies, chocolates, and seasoning.
“It’s really nice,” said Echeverria, sitting at a table in The Cave Lounge. “Even though it’s simple, it gives that feeling that [RRC Polytech] cares (about) the students.”
In his three-hour welding classes, Echeverria says the manual work and the heat can be really tiring.
“Having these moments to relax and free food, it’s way better,” said Echeverria. “It’s like really, really good.”
Welding student, Gagan Chana came to The Cave for lunch when he saw Echeverria at the front of the 20-person popcorn line and asked him to grab a second bag.
They both don’t check their email for upcoming events and are surprised to find things happening on campus.
“It’s like, wow,” said Chana, 21. “It’s like a surprise.”
Chana says the events help enhance his student experience and break up his classes.
Behind the bar, Lovell Li, and a team of student volunteers make over 200 bags of popcorn and break down over 20 boxes of pop.
The DIY Popcorn Bar is the first event Li has planned as the new Student Life Events Coordinator.
He came up with the idea when thinking about ways to bring students together.
“I like popcorn, I like mixing things up in it, so hopefully other people do as well,” said Li, 40, an RRC Polytech alum, whose favourite popcorn toppings are M&M’s, a little bit of gummies, and some white cheddar seasoning.
“I was a little worried this morning, but it turned out really well,” said Li.
When planning events for students, Li thinks about his own student experience.
“Anything that involves food is always a good option,” said Li. “Then people can just grab and go.”
The DIY Popcorn Bar will be at the Exchange District Campus on Thursday, October 1 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in room E115 in Manitou a bi Bii daziigae.
Li says that events with games and prizes are also popular among students.
As a gamer himself, Li is planning a Mario Kart tournament on October 12 and 13 at The Cave at NDC. Registration is free and closes on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
“Venture out, look at what’s posted, look at the website, talk to your friends, and visit the Students’ Association,” said Li.
All the RRC Polytech Students’ Association events are posted on rrcsa.ca/events or on Instagram, @rrcsa.
