[hr]More than 1,000 students assembled inside the Student Center on Friday night for the third annual Midnight Breakfast by the Campus Activities Board that included a holiday party loaded with food and entertainment ahead of Finals Week.
Michael Ware II is a senior sociology major and president of the campus board under the Division of Student Affairs. He said the event left him “overjoyed with happiness and excitement” as he watched students indulge in the festivities.
“December is usually the favorite time of the year for many people. So, we wanted to embrace students and give them a last engagement right before finals to send them off for the holidays,” he said.
Also, Ware said, the Midnight Breakfast is a great way to fellowship. “On the first floor we have breakfast food. On the second floor we have a movie, “The Best Man Holiday,” and a poetry slam, karaoke, a photo booth and a food location with chicken strips and other dinner food. On the third floor we have an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party with a deejay.”
Ware said, “As I look around, I thank all the students for coming out and supporting this event. We want to continue increasing student morale, and I think we’re accomplishing our goal. It’s a pure blessing to see that students are enjoying this moment and spending time with friends and greeting people they’ve never met before.”
Ware said his wish for the holiday season is for everyone to be happy and spread joy all over. He said he plans to spend some holiday time in Mississippi and the rest of the time will be with family in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Porshia Shelton, a senior studying business management, volunteered to help usher in students for the event. She seemed excited to be part of the soiree.
“Midnight Breakfast is a very fun gathering where you wear ugly sweaters and interact with your fellow Jacksonians. It’s very fun. Who wants to miss a free Christmas party?” Shelton asked rhetorically.
Student Government Association president La’Curtis Powell, a senior criminal justice major from Jackson, echoed her sentiments.
“We’re having a great time with three different floors for karaoke, parties and food – pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs. This celebration is a great way to bring all Jackson State students together to celebrate the holidays. My favorite thing is karaoke, picking my favorite songs to perform.”
Powell said the event is also about acknowledging peers for a successful semester and to express appreciation to the student body for coming out to support their student leaders. “We worked very hard with our advisers to plan this third annual Midnight Breakfast event.”
During this holiday, Powell said his wish is to make the President’s List. “As for the students, I want them to be safe in whatever they do. If you have any problems, don’t hesitate to reach out to any student leader.”
Another student, Bethany Boston, attended the affair also. She was spotted wearing an “ugly” sweater.
Boston, a freshman biology/pre-veterinarian major from Denver, was proud of her garment, though. “Surprisingly, I got this from Walmart. It has a really large array of really ugly Christmas sweaters.”
She said being able to hang out with my friends and seeing her classmates at the Midnight Breakfast “really warms my heart especially since I’m far away from home.”
Boston said her holiday desire is for everyone to be “spiritually and emotionally at peace” around this time of the year. “I know that sometimes the holidays can bring a lot of stress. I just want people to enjoy their families or themselves during the holidays, feel that Christmas spirit and have a great time. I know the holidays can put a lot of pressure on people.”
Besides Boston, a good number of other students donned ugly sweaters, too.
Jared Keyes, majoring in biology/pre-medicine and reigning as Mr. Freshman, sported a sweater that he believes matches his personality.
“It’s creative, and it represents me because I’m outgoing and fun,” the Raymond native said. “I really like how everyone has come together for Midnight Breakfast. Full participation from the university is always great. To see my peers all in one place is very nice. With this being finals period, it’s much needed for some time to relax.”
Keyes said his holiday wish is for “happiness to everyone because there’s a lot of hurt and confusion going on with peers and a lot of stress with the pressure of finals. I just hope everyone finds peace.”
Joining in on the fun was Kahlil Johnson, a junior studying biology/pre-medicine who plays defensive end for JSU Tigers Football.
Johnson hailed the Midnight Breakfast because “there’s a great spirit around with everyone coming together. I feel this is the way a university should be – coming together as one.”
As the semester draws to a close, he said, “My holiday wish to peers is to finish all these final exams strong and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
