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<\/a>Candace Chambers<\/strong> After visiting Virginia, Maryland and Lorman, Miss., the 2012 Black Entertainment Television Networks College Tour made its stop Sept. 21 in Jackson, Miss. on the campus of Jackson State University.<\/p>\n From noon until 3 p.m. this free, fun-filled event gave students an opportunity to have a good, safe time while also providing important information on issues in the community.<\/p>\n The tour, which travels to 14 institutions nationwide, is the largest and only event of its kind targeting students of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. For its 12th year, according to bet.com, the tour is a key component of the BET brand and represents their continuous efforts to highlight and support HBCUs by providing relevant, engaging and meaningful outreach to minority students.<\/p>\n Tents were set up along the Gibbs-Green Pedestrian Walkway by sponsors of the tour, such as Citi-Trends, BET\u2019s Rap it Up Campaign and Vote 2012, and the U.S. Air Force. The \u201cRap it Up Campaign\u201d provided condoms and free candy of charge and partnered with local, community based organization, Building Bridges Inc. by giving free, confidential HIV tests on the second floor of the Jacob L. Reddix Hall.\u00a0 Building Bridges Inc., located in Jackson, Miss., began their involvement with the BET College Tour last year.<\/p>\n Johnathan Robins, Prevention Intervention Specialist said, \u201cIt is important that we are out in the community to decrease the statistics.\u201d<\/p>\n There were many engaging activities available, including dancing competitions, performance concerts featuring upcoming artists, NBA trivia, Basketball shootouts, and a Video Skillz Challenge. Martika Ross, a freshman music performance major from Flowood, Miss. sang a collaboration of \u201cHeartless\u201d by Kanye West and \u201cMoves like Jagger\u201d by Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera, while also playing her acoustic guitar. Although she was nervous, she felt it made her perform better.<\/p>\n \u201cI often perform on the plaza. I performed in Burger King last night. I do my own thing,\u201d said Ross.<\/p>\n After the singing competition, the \u201cDrop the Beat\u201d contest, in which contestants competed to guess the beat of a song, the Citi-Trends Freestyle Rap Battle, featuring individuals\u2019 best rhymes, and the BET College Tour JSU TV Promo went underway.<\/p>\n For the promo, students gathered around the stage saying with Tiger spirit, \u201cWelcome to Jackson State University!\u201d The cameras captured the crowd and JSU\u2019s Tiger Mascot as he showed off his dance moves.<\/p>\n Martha Tamplin, a senior biology, pre-med major from Jackson, Miss. was glad she was able to participate in the promo tapping.<\/p>\n \u201cI had fun. This is my first time in the promo. I missed out my freshman, sophomore, and junior years, so I wanted to participate before I graduated,\u201d said Tamplin.<\/p>\n Many students expressed joy and happiness as the strolled the plaza Friday afternoon. Some received free-t-shirts and towels for participating the events.<\/p>\n
\nBlue & White Flash\/News Editor<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nRecruiters of the U.S. Air Force smiled as they eagerly waited to share informational material about the ROTC program. Recruiter Major Price stated that they were present to \u201crecruit the best and brightest officers to lead the nation.\u201d Volunteers at the VOTE 2012 tent eagerly registered students to vote. Students could also obtain assistance with future jobs at the Career Tent.<\/p>\n
\nStudents also had an opportunity to showcase their talents on the big stage. In the \u201cSinger\u2019s Spotlight\u201d contest, singers had to perform a song of their choice in 60 seconds. The participants chose a variety of songs such as, \u201cSilver and Gold\u201d by Kirk Franklin, \u201cGotta Go\u201d by Trey Songz, and \u201cLet it Rise\u201d by William Murphy.<\/p>\n