“Both of my parents went here. This is where they met. Both of them marched in the Sonic Boom. And being from Memphis, I would always come up here as a kid to spend the summer with my dad. And he would always bring me to Jackson State, to the band hall, and I’d be around the band. So, it was already ingrained in me that I want to be in the band at Jackson State.

So I took that leap of faith. My favorite moment is definitely auditioning for the Boom and getting that call back saying: ‘We’ll see you at band camp.’ I was like, ‘I made it.’ During my senior year in high school, I was kind of nervous about the audition. I almost decided to just come to Jackson State and not audition. But, I auditioned, and I made it, and that was probably the proudest moment in my life. Even now, I’m blessed to say I made the Boom.

Another favorite thing about Jackson State is the culture. The tradition. The legacy. I knew it was more to it than just the band program. When I got here my freshman year, I was opened up to so many other things, like the Gibbs-Green Plaza story, Walter Payton and so many other aspects of the school. It made me realize that I want to be a part of this, an HBCU. It’s probably the best decision I’ve ever made.”

– Javian, graphic design major from Memphis, Tennessee, Class of Fall ’17.

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