Students shine at Black Excellence Gala

by Ruth Anne Nimmer

The Black Excellence Gala, a formal dance sponsored by the Black Student Union, took place Feb. 17 in the Lamar Higgins Ballrooms.

 The night was a perfect opportunity for attendees to show up in their best elegant dress. Food was provided and the decorations followed a black and white theme.

The speaker, Mitchell Sneed, gave an encouraging talk about his life saying that no matter how tough your life is, you have to keep going and make your life count. 

There was also a singer, Kamiya Koonce, who closed the night out. Students were still dancing, singing and having a good time after the event officially ended.

Destin Benai, a junior in global business major with a concentration in marketing from Dothan, Alabama, said it was a great event.

“This event means to me that amidst the obstacles, we can shine and have the spotlight shine on us,” Benai said. “There’s so many people that work hard on this campus that don’t get that light and would get that light here.”

Jimmy Godwin, a senior exercise science major from Slocomb, Alabama, said a lot of hard work and dedication went into putting on the event. 

 “ the speaker, listening to his life and the motivation he gave us to know that we can do great things,” Godwin said.

Emani Jordan, a senior exercise science and pre-health major from Chicago also helped organize the event.

“It means a lot to me that we can highlight Black excellence and students that aren’t seen as much and do a lot of work behind the scenes,” Jordan said. “To motivate you in no matter what you do, you are seen.”