William Kelly
Staff Writer
Freshman Week at Jackson State University is full of events dedicated specifically to incoming freshmen who expereince everything from over-excitement to chronic anxiety.
While most new students are celebrating and overwhelmed by the mass amount of students to become friends with, there are a few who are elected to represent their class and to greet the entire student body.
Telandus Craft and Casey Fisher are the chosen students selected to represent the Class of 2018 as Mr. and Miss Freshman during the 2014-2015 academic school year.
Craft, a biology major from Forest, Miss., campaigned as the class king to build a better “CRAFT” and encourage his fellow classmates to be themselves and become more involved.
“My campaign platform is to build a better C.R.A.F.T. and I based that off of people getting more involved and for them to be themselves and build something bigger off of what they did in their past,” said Craft.
Fisher, a civil engineering major from Vicksburg, Miss., campaigned as the class queen in order to reach out to her classmates and try something different by getting involved. Her platform was centered on encouraging others to move forward.
“My platform is to “Be You” which is focusing on self-empowerment and learning to love yourself. It took me a long time to love myself so I wanted to teach my classmates to love themselves because that is where it all starts,” said Fisher.
Craft was nervous about running but was encouraged by the support he received from his classmates.
“It was shocking. I knew a couple of people from the Summer Bridge Program but when I stepped out on faith and interacted with the other people that arrived on move-in day, I got to know more people and that boosted my mentality on the support that I would receive,” said Craft.
Fisher stated that she had to overcome some obstacles while campaigning.
“Most of the support was positive but there was some negative things said but I just continued to look over it and did what I had to do to get where I am now,” said Fisher. “I looked past it all and prayed about it.”
Craft and Fisher both plan to join other campus organizations such as the Blue Ambassadors and several honor societies. During Freshman Week, not only were the king and queen campaigning, but they were also involved in the community service activities.
Jackson State has always been a priority for both Craft and Fisher.
“Everyone in my family basically attended a SCC College, so to come to an HBCU, it kind of shocked a lot of my family. I loved the campus since day one. I love the band and I love the people,” said Craft.
Fisher was already familiar with the rich tradition of JSU.
“Jackson State is the only thing that I know. I was raised around Jackson State and I love it,” said Fisher.
