While the annual Honda Battle of the Bands culminated into a banner day Saturday for Jackson State University, a successful HBCU College Fair in the Georgia World Congress Center preceded the soul-stirring marching extravaganza in Atlanta. The weekend also included a JSU Preview on Friday in the Hilton Atlanta for prospective students.
To no surprise, the Sonic Boom performed with aplomb, sending the crowd into a joyful frenzy during the annual Honda Battle of the Bands.
Roderick Little, director of JSU’s marching bands, described the event – alternately referred to as the “Super Bowl of Bands” – as a “vehicle to display student talent that encourages them to learn life lessons.” He said after band members have played their last note and marched in their uniforms for the final time, the rest of their lives will be awaiting.”
Little also recounted the tremendous sacrifice by band members and other directors.
“It is no easy task to participate in any band program around the country, especially those that garner the same successes as the Sonic Boom.”
During preparations for the event, our students had to endure conditions that were not all that ideal – cold weather, rain, mud and sleet. Through it all, because they love the Boom, they persevered to provide a product the community at large can be proud of,” Little said.
Dr. Juanita M. Morris, director of undergraduate recruitment, said the annual recruitment fair is a major opportunity for JSU.
“It’s one of the key areas where we receive a lot of students who enroll from out of state. We also have a strong alumni base in the area – the metro Atlanta chapter. We try to capitalize on the Honda Battle of the Bands as one major event in which we’re able to recruit heavily in the state of Georgia.” She said the preview event Friday was an opportunity for those students who had applied for admission to complete their applications.
Yolanda R. Owens, president of the Jackson State University National Alumni Association (JSUNAA), described the weekend atmosphere as electric.
“The entire city was buzzing as 1400 Lynch Street officially took over Atlanta during the Honda Battle of the Bands. From the stellar effort of the recruitment team to the phenomenal performance of the Sonic Boom of the South, Jackson State University made a major impact on thousands of metro Atlanta-area high school students who participated in the weekend events,” Owens said. “We are pleased the university recognizes the incredible potential for recruitment from the Atlanta area.”
On Saturday morning, hundreds of students and spectators filed into the World Congress Center to learn about the many programs offered by Mississippi’s largest HBCU. The goal was to ensure questions about JSU were answered for students and parents. During the fair, recruiters accepted applications, transcripts and test scores. Scholarship coordinators also were present. Tiger exhibitors included:
- Metro Atlanta Chapter of JSUNAA
- Undergraduate Recruitment
- Undergraduate Admissions
- W.E.B Du Bois Honors College
- JSUOnline
- Veterans and Military Center
- School of Public Health
- Community College Relations
- Air Force ROTC
- Department of Music
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Science, Engineering and Technology
- Graduate School
- Transfer Department
- Financial Aid
- Scholarships
Morris said the recruitment effort overall was a touchdown for JSU.
“The planning process was our one shot to get it right. We focused our efforts to make sure that everything was on point, every question was answered and every need was met. We developed connections to parents, aunts, uncles, alumni – those in Georgia and other areas. We met people from North Carolina, South Carolina and band members from Michigan. Although the event was in Georgia, JSU’s recruiting reach is far and wide,” Morris said.
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For more images from the Honda Battle of the Bands weekend in Atlanta (and other news), see the following links:
1. JSU Preview Day (JSU National Alumni Association on Facebook):
https://www.facebook.com/jsunaainc/posts/961549657232088
2. JSU Undergraduate Recruitment on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/jsurecruitment/
3. Sonic Boom of the South on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Sonic-Boom-of-The-South-1068447133172763/
4. Jackson State University on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/JacksonState/
