Rocking and raffling, popcorn and prizes.

Wildcat Academy of Leadership and Knowledge (WALK) is a living, learning, experiential program on campus that allows students to become emerging leaders.

Last Thursday in the Frey Conference Suite in the Student Center, WALK members organized Rock-A-Wish, a four hour rock-a-thon featuring four bands who volunteered their time for the cause.

The cause?

All monetary proceeds from the evening went to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and collected food items went to the Wayne Food Pantry and Backpack Program.

The bands — Punching Puppets, Stonehouse, the Crazy Eight Brass Band and Odd Man Out — were found by students in the WALK program who had connections with some of the band members.

Each band brought their own unique flair to the Rock-A-Wish event, and students enjoyed every bit of the fun. Some even busting out a variety of dance moves, including couples doing “the pretzel” and one anonymous attendee who wore a horse-head mask and successfully attempted “the worm.”

Popcorn, soda and water were provided. Admission for the event was $4, or $2 with any non-perishable food item. Also, raffle tickets were collected throughout the evening. Raffle tickets cost $1 a ticket, or 5 tickets for $4.

Students won raffle prizes such as T-shirts, gift cards and certificates from various local businesses. The grand prize was a Bluetooth 2.1 speaker system.

A total of $292 was raised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the food items have been taken to the First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, where they will be apportioned as needed.