Tatyana Ross
Taylor Hardy contributed to the story.
Terrien Edwards contributed to the story
Jackson State University kicked off its first full rosters of in-person Homecoming festivities since the pandemic early Saturday morning on Oct. 15. The university brought out the pawprint stencils and paint and allowed student volunteers to refresh the pawprints near the Prentiss Street roundabout. In their bright colored vests, the students used the stencils to put fresh white paint on the paws lining the street and earned community service hours during the fun event.
Sunday Oct. 16 began the full week ahead with the Worship Service at College Hill Missionary Baptist Church in the morning. That evening, during a night filled with glitz and glamour, the JSU community celebrated the Coronation of Mister JSU Joshua Edwards and Miss JSU Naomi Harris. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, family and friends crowded the Walter Payton Center to witness the crowning of the 2022-2023 student leaders as well as the introduction of the representative from many of the campus organizations.
Jackson State’s Student Government Association (SGA) did not let the party end there. They hosted the Coronation Reception immediately afterwards. Allowing all the misters and misses of Jackson State and a few misters and misses from other schools to fellowship and enjoy each other’s company.
The next day, on Monday, Oct. 17, the whole campus joined in on the homecoming fun at Thee Family Cookout held during the day and Thee Rave Party held that night on the John A. Peoples lawn. The students showed up and out with their glow sticks and party fever.
The homecoming fever continued on Tuesday, Oct. 18, with the Transfer & Commuter Student Mixer and welcomed the alumni with the Mid-Day Madness All-Star Basketball Game.
Although the Mississippi State Fair has packed up and moved on, students were treated to a carnival atmosphere and all kinds of food at the Street Jam. Tables of food, games and other treats could be found from the Prentiss Street round-about all the way down the street in front of the College of Engineering building. This event allowed JSU clubs and organizations to fundraise and share with others information on their purpose and activities.
In honor of the fight to end breast cancer, the JSU community donned their pink for the Pink Out Day Party held on the Gibbs-Green Pedestrian Walkway near the Student Center. The event featured breast cancer survivors who shared their stories and provided information on early detection.
The music was turned up a notch later in the evening at the Homecoming concert which featured popular Memphis rapper, Moneybagg Yo.
The concert opened with two artists, Big JD and Rufus Carl Jones II, the winners of the Opener, a contest hosted by JSUEngage prior to the start of Homecoming. The contest allowed music artists on Jackson State’s own campus to showcase their talents on the stage.
On Thursday Oct. 20, Jackson State celebrated the 145th Founder’s Day Observance, which featured an address by JSU Alum and Mississippi State Department of Health Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Justin Turner. Dr. Turner is the first African-American to serve in this position. New donors were also added to the Legacy Wall and the day ended with the much anticipated Step Show.
Haley Dawson, a freshman physical education major from Houston, Texas, said she was bored at first but as the show progressed, she was satisfied with all the performances.
“The alphas did their thing per usual. I’m happy I decided to stay. It was also very entertaining and I enjoyed the different themes from each Greek organization,” Dawson said.
Other Greek members came out to support their chapters and have a good time.
Teia McCormick, a public health graduate student from Jackson, Miss., said she came out to the step show to support her Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. chapter in the step show.
“I decided to pledge because the majority of my family pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha and I wanted to be a part of something that is greater than me and I did that. GO G-RO!”
All of the step teams performed well but in first place was Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Delta Phi Chapter. In second place was Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Delta Pi Chapter, and in third place was Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Beta Chapter.
The weather over the week was chilly but Friday Oct. 21 was the warmest day of the entire week. Homecoming continued with Food Truck Friday and one the biggest event besides the game, Yard Fest.
JSU’s Yard Fest is like one big family field day with vendors, games and featured performances by the Greeks, Sonic Boom, and the Jackson State Cheer team. This event never fails to get the students and alumni hyped for the game the next day.
Mary Alford, a senior accounting major from Toomsuba, Miss., said her last year at Jackson State has been fun and she will miss it when she is gone.
“It was great, you know, I really enjoyed it. This is my last year so I’m trying to make the best of it,” Alford said.
Kelsey Funches, a transfer junior elementary education major from Clinton, Miss., said she is happy she made the transfer to Jackson State.
“This last semester at Jackson State University has been amazing,” Funches said.
Deondrea Harrell, a senior elementary education major from Clinton, Miss., also enjoyed her time and claimed Jackson State has never had a dull moment.
“These last four years have been, AWESOME, AWESOME,” Harrell said.
Jackson State wrapped up homecoming week with a win on Saturday Oct. 22 against Campbell University, leaving smiles on students, alumni, and other fan’s faces.
Congratulations to our Jackson State Tigers!
