Students gather at the Williams Center for the UPB Build-A-Boo event on Thursday. “We are doing a cute event for all the couples and the singles!” says JaQuaylan Taylor, a student that is helping to run the event. “It’s like a build-a-bear workshop.”

First, students choose a stuffed animal from the table. The variety of options included, sharks, bears, cows, frogs, and more.

JaQuaylan Taylor holds up his favorite stuffed animal. He thinks that the dog is the cutest stuffed animal available at the event.

Gabby Smith chooses an elephant from the table. She has come to the event with friends.

Next, students collect the filling for their stuffed animal. Each person gets their own bag of stuffing so they can make their animal as soft as they choose.

Finally, students choose a blank birth certificate or a Valentine’s Day card for their stuffed animal. After collecting all their supplies, students then find a table where they put together their stuffed animal.

Grace Mainer fills out the birth certificate for her stuffed cow. She has chosen to name her stuffed friend Luna.

Erica Fuller laughs with friends as she builds her stuffed animal. Erica chose to make a yellow duck.

Jacob Hood fills his stuffed shark. He is enjoying the event with his friends.

(From left) Gabby Broughton, Faith Johnson and Daysha Mccallum enjoy each other’s company while they build their stuffed animals. Mccallum decided to name her stuffed animal Ozzy.

Gabby Broughton fills her stuffed frog. “We haven’t hung out in a minute so this is really nice to get together real quick and build some bears,” says Broughton.

(From left) Kayla Rogers, Emily Hogg and Taylor Wilcox build their stuffed animals together. The three friends chose to make the same elephant stuffed animal.