Hundreds of holiday revelers from the city and Jackson State University’s campus swarmed Gibbs-Green Plaza on Thursday evening for the annual Holidays Under the Stars that featured a tree-lighting ceremony, choirs, a ballet performance, the Sonic Boom and the evening’s top highlight: Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The event glistened with bright smiles from spectators and sparkling colors as guests sipped on hot chocolate and apple cider and satisfied their palates with popcorn, cotton candy, cookies and other treats.
Celebration co-host Gina Carter-Simmers, general manager of WJSU-FM, introduced high-energy entertainment acts throughout the night. She was joined onstage by sidekick Stan Branson, a JSU alum and operations manager and program director for WJMI-FM and WKXI-FM in Jackson. The two broadcasters helped warm the crowd with their megawatt personalities.
The following groups provided entertainment: Ballet Magnificat!; Hinds-Utica Community College Concert and Gospel Choir; MADDRAMA Performance Troupe; One Church; and the Sonic Boom marching band.
Also, the night was filled with heart-wrenching moments as many youths, including one teenager from Blackburn Laboratory Middle School, were presented with gifts from generous university personnel through JSU’s Angel Tree. Others can expect a joyous holiday season, too, as one family of children received new bicycles and other gifts from JSU’s Department of Public Safety and the university’s Facilities and Construction Management.
Students and others throughout the campus say they loved the family atmosphere of Holidays Under the Stars and the exciting entertainment.
Conelous Stiff, a junior civil engineering major from Yazoo City, reflected on his early memories of the holidays and JSU’s efforts to brighten the yuletide season.
“As a child, Christmas has always been exciting – getting gifts. Today, it’s still about joy, yet all about Christ. As a school, it’s great for JSU to give back and show that we care about youths. Tonight is really great, with people dancing and singing. Now, everyone can experience the excitement of what goes on here on JSU’s campus. I want to tell everyone to be safe during the holiday and always thank God.”
Devin Shannon, a freshman biology/pre-med major from Indianola, said, “This event makes it feels like a big family. It brings everyone together. It’s very peaceful.”
George Smith, a freshman from Mobile, Ala., studying computer engineering, said, “I’m a long way from home, so being here puts me in the spirit of the holiday. Some people don’t have this privilege.” After losing a relative two weeks ago, he said he plans to gather with family on Christmas Day and cherish each moment with them.
SGA president Kendall Bunch, serving in the role of Santa Claus, said, “Christmas for me has always been about family, giving back and being grateful for everything you received throughout the year. And, of course, it’s great that we get a holiday break from school.”
Dr. Kimberly Hilliard, aka Mrs. Claus and executive assistant to the president for special initiatives, said she’s “grateful for a beautiful year and believes the Christmas season means endless possibilities. “We have so much to grateful for – our family and friends and the achievements we’ve accomplished as a university.”
Derrick Booker, 12, said he was impressed with the decorations and seeing all the families gather together. His plans for the holiday are to spend quality time with his relatives.
Meanwhile, the event’s co-hosts offered their thoughts about the community event and the holidays.
Carter-Simmers said, “Holidays Under the Stars lets the community know that JSU is not just brick and mortar but that we’re part of the community, especially with the Angel Tree presentation. We care about the communities in which we live and work. That’s my favorite part about the holiday.”
As for Branson, he said, “This event is the initiation of the yuletide season. It gets me started with the holiday celebration. He said, “Without sounding corny, my holiday wish is for peace and brotherhood throughout the United States and the rest of the world.”
