JSU Students share a K.I.S.S. with Miss Junior Arianna Stokes

Avi’Yam Jordan
MC Practicum Student
Staff Writer

The ups and downs and the ins and outs of relationships were the focus of the K.I.S.S. forum held on Feb. 4.

Hosted by Arianna Stokes, Miss Junior, the forum allowed students to express the good, the bad and ugly of relationships.  Using the book, “Pink Lips and Empty Hearts” by Heather Lindsey, Stokes, a junior history education major from Matteson, Ill., guided the audience to self reflect on issues that concern dating.

Stokes, who read Lindsey’s book over the winter break, decided it would be a great tool to use to open the discussion of dating among Jackson State University students. Describing “Pink Lips and Empty Hearts” as relatable and conversational,  Stokes felt the book was the perfect choice for the forum because she learned so much from the book.

“I learned to never take credit for happenings in your life and to give all glory to God and trust that everything was purposeful,” said Stokes.

Rejection, playing your part, the media, self-image, friendships and the definition of terms that are used to describe intimate statuses were the topics discussed during the panel.  Having a panel of students, both male and female, discuss their insights provided an engaging and comfortable atmosphere for the audience of students to share personal stories as well as the opportunity to share their own words of advice.

Natalie Nicholson, a junior history major from Memphis, Tenn., said the most valuable lesson she learned from the forum was to let life flow and not plan everything.

“The forum showed me that some people are meant to be in your life for a reason and your might be in theirs’ for a reason,” said Nicholson.

Men were not forgotten in the K.I.S.S forum.   Kedric Hayes, a freshman biology major in biology from Grenada, Miss., said the forum was amazing, and opened the door about what girls think.

“It helped me think about the next person and not be selfish.  It opened the door to be about yourself and your friends as well,” said Hayes. “Keeping God first may seem cliché, but a lot of people came to seeking God first and honesty as a valuable gem from the forum.”

Whether students are dating for marriage or dating for fun, the forum gave all participants the opportunity to voice their opinions, share their stories and show support.  Professional yet unfiltered, students gave direct honesty on their views of relationships and panel topics from all ends of the spectrum.