appalachian state university hosts first project condom

At ONE, we're incredibly passionate about making condom use fun—and working with advocates across the country to break down the stigma that still exists around sexual health conversations. This is why our Project Condom program is near and dear to our heart, through which we partner with organizations and student groups to host condom fashion shows. You read that right: Condom...Fashion...Shows.

On Wednesday, March 8, 2017, Appalachian State University's Department of Wellness and Prevention Services hosted its first ever Project Condom. Saray Smalls, App State's Wellness Coordinator for Student Programs and her team of Wellness Educators for Change, Advocacy, and student Needs (WE CAN) along with the Appalachian Popular Programming Society (APPS) organized the event, which drew nearly 200 attendees consisting of students, faculty, staff and community members. 

This year's event theme, "Past, Present, and Future," was implemented as a way to celebrate how sexual health and sex education has evolved, and how we can further improve it in the future.

Prior to the Wednesday evening gathering, Saray and her team promoted the event on social, using the hashtags #ProjectCondom and #ProtectYosef. Saray was also featured on a segment of the AppTV Show 'Hi Neighbor' to discuss the goals of the event. Watch! Six epic teams competed in the contest, each of which was represented by one of the following campus organizations: ASU Women's Center, The Pre-Med/Pre-Dental Honors Society, Minority Women's Leadership Circle, Minority Men's Leadership Circle, and ASU Flash Mob Club. 

Our team at ONE donated 7,000 condoms for the contest designers, as well as prizes for 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place, and Best Sexual Health Message. Congratulations to this year's winners!

• Minority Women's Leadership Circle, 1st Place
• ASU Women's Center, 2nd Place
• Minority Men's Leadership Circle, 3rd Place
• Minority Women's Leadership Circle, Best Sexual Health Message 

Following the event, Saray has received extremely positive feedback from members of the Appalachian State University community. Already, she is planning another Project Condom show scheduled for the Spring of 2018. 

To read more about App State's first Project Condom, check out the University's student newspaper, The Appalachian, which published a fantastic article highlighting the event.  

A major thank you to these amazing advocates for helping us start condom conversations in such a fun, unique way! Ready to host your own Project Condom Event? Apply!