trinityjbrenae
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Going for the black and old gold
February 3, 2024
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. hosted its interest meeting for its second consecutive Miss Black and Old Gold pageant on Wednesday, Jan. 31, which has been held since 2020 and reinstated in 2023.
The event was reinstated last year, with only four women participating. This year, 16 women participated, breaking the pageant record.
Makenzii Arrington said she has no experience with pageants, but plans to step out of her comfort zone.
“I want to feel like I accomplished something and try to build self-confidence,” Arrington said.
One of the contestants, Emanii King, said she used the pageant as an opportunity to represent her sorority and build her resume.
“I recently just joined my sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and I feel as if I would be a great representative of who we are and what we exemplify,” King said.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. strives to provide manly deeds, scholarships and love for all mankind, according to the organization's website.
Karizma Bryant said she believes they are doing just that and more.
“This fraternity is providing the winner with a scholarship which most pageants don’t, along with community exposure,” Byrant said.
After the meeting, contestants exchanged numbers and offered each other help. Their race for the crown has yet to begin though many contestants have already hit the ground running.
Jackson Quarrels, a member of the fraternity, said this pageant symbolizes the organization’s broader goals.
“Our mission is to provide these young women with confidence and to also find a winner who can represent our fraternity when sent out into the community,” Quarrels said.
No DEI, no peace
February 29, 2024
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Queer Student Association hosted a protest on Wednesday, Feb. 28, to demonstrate what diversity, equity and inclusion does for students on campus.
Organizations like Black Student Union and Black Faculty and Staff Association showed up to help represent the large group of individuals who were affected by the passing of Senate Bill 129.
Ciara Grant said she attended the protest to express her concerns regarding her future and education at the Capstone.
“As I have been impacted by the diversity organizations here, I need to be present for this as my testimony matters,” Grant said, “I would not still be at this institution if it were not for the National Society of Black Engineers and what they have contributed to my education.”
Cresandra Smothers, communications director in the DEI office, addressed the efforts UA is making to ensure students' needs are met during this time.
“We are committed to providing resources and opportunities that are accessible to all and will continue to work with the legislature as we equip our campus community members for success at our universities and beyond,” Smothers said.
A student, Riley Howerzyl, said that she hopes the Alabama Senate will come to campus to see and hear for themselves how DEI benefits students and staff, rather than making decisions without seeing its impact.
“I hope that this bill is just shut down and that a lot more people hear about it and are honestly enraged,” Howerzyl said. “I hope that the legislature listens to the voices of people who are directly in the offices and work with students.”
Honors and involvement
March 30, 2024
In celebration of the largest freshmen inductee class, Phi Eta Sigma, the oldest and largest freshmen honors society, held its first general body meeting for new members on Thursday, March 28.
Students were informed of opportunities the society has to offer and encouraged to get involved with other organizations on campus.
“Phi Eta Sigma is an honor society, we care a lot about academics and community outreach, so it is our job to help be a support system to freshman students we induct every year,” Taylor Robinson said.
The guest speaker Dillon Cook gave a presentation on time management and encouraged the members to get involved as much as possible to make their college experience more meaningful.
“This organization was the first of 39 clubs I joined my freshman year, and it has helped me get scholarships, internships, and make friendships,” Cook said, “this organization has given me a lot of mental support also and I am thankful for that.”
Nicole Kaufeldt the president of Phi Eta Sigma says that what makes this organization different is the care it provides and wants to see more students involved.
“I think when a lot of people see honor societies, they think they’re only resume boosters and that is something I have been working really hard to change because we are a family, we work hard to make our members the best they can be beyond our club,” Kaufeldt said.