Penn State alum and MTV's The Real World: Key West star John Devenanzio returned to Happy Valley yesterday for work and play.
He spoke to a crowd of about 100 Penn State students in HUB Heritage Hall last night about his STA Travel experience to Europe with The Real World cast.
"I see the demographic trend in here," John said to a crowd filled with mostly female fans.
Some Penn State students admitted their ulterior motives for attending the event. Kelly Larkin (freshman-hotel, restaurant and institutional management) said she was there for The Real World star.
"I'm just here to see Johnny, pretty much," she said. "We get really excited when we see him wear Penn State clothes on the show."
But not everyone in the crowd was female or there to see John.
"Me and a few of my buddies want to take a summer trip," Matt Papaycik (junior-journalism) said. Papaycik said he tries to watch The Real World when he can.
"I think I lived next door to [John] last year," he said. "It's weird seeing him on TV."
Although John didn't reveal what country The Real World cast visited, he did say that through STA, the cast members went on tours, ate amazing food and saw flamenco dancing.
"It was definitely one of the most memorable trips of my life," he said. "If MTV puts their faith in [STA], I guess you should, too."
After speaking about his STA travels, John answered audience questions and revealed that he is currently single. After that, John gave out some prizes before posing for photos and signing autographs.
"I think he did a great job; I'm just happy to see him again after so long," said Jason Casas (senior-finance), a friend of John's.
Casas wasn't the only person happy to see John last night. After his speech at the HUB, he headed over to his old apartment in Cedarbrook, 320 E. Beaver Ave., to watch last night's episode with about 40 of his closest friends.
While the show revolved around castmate Paula and her boyfriend problems, John couldn't hide as last night showed him trying to hook up with one of the locals in Key West.
Anytime John appeared on the show making out with a girl, he couldn't hide from the "oohs" and "ahhs" of his friends cheering him on.
"Shut up over there," John said to his friends throughout the show. "I can't hear myself!"
Despite all the fame he has received recently, John took the time out to show his appreciation to his friends. During commercials, he made his rounds to say hello to everyone and catch up.
Perhaps the most talked about moment of the show was when John brought back a girl from the bar and enticed her into the pool. John's old roommates and friends cheered for him, but what got them excited the most was the shirt he gave the girl to wear.
"That shirt right there is on all of the time," John said. "It's going up on eBay soon."
He made the shirt with his friends for the basketball team "Da Brook," which they created in honor of their apartment.
Yet it wasn't John's appearance on the show that got his friends excited; it was his return to his old apartment.
"It's really cool to have him back," said Adam Bruhnke (senior-finance), his old roommate. "It's a little weird to watch the show with him, but it's great he took a few days off to come and see us."
Brunke wasn't the only one who thought John's return was cool.
"It felt so surreal, like I was coming in and out of consciousness," John said. "I truly dreamed about this moment though, coming back to Penn State, watching the show with my friends and kicking back some. It's great."
John took a minute during the commercials to thank all of his friends for coming out last night to watch the show with him.
"To those I've known forever, thank you," John said. "To those I just met tonight, thanks. My dream was to come back and watch an episode with you all, and it's finally come true -- cheers!"
In true Real World style, John and his friends ended the night by heading out to the bars.
"I'm leaving tomorrow, so I'm just going to hang out with my buddies, knock a few back and make the best of what God's blessed me with," John said.
