Miss SU promotes Up ’til Dawn on local radio station

In an effort to promote the collegiate program “Up ’til Dawn,” Miss Southern University, Shakelia Sweazie and student Lindsay Allen spoke to the community on the Q106.5 broadcast “Major Topics.” The event took place on Sunday, March 25 at Citadel Broadcasting, 650 Woodale Blvd., hosted by Major Reginald Brown.
“Major Topics” takes place on Q106.5 every Sunday evening from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Produced by Joseph Booker, the one-hour talk show is aimed at covering topics pertaining to the community and state.
Former Miss Southern University Enitra Jones spearheaded the development of “Up ’til Dawn” at the university in 2004. Southern is the first Historically Black College and University to partner with the “Up ’til Dawn” program.
“Often times we always hear people say that our students are out there into the rap industry, they’re into this and into that and don’t give back,” Brown said. “That’s not the case with these two students and not the case with what they trying to ignite or what they have ignited at Southern University.”
In a joint effort with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, students on college campuses throughout the United States are encouraged to raise money to donate to the hospital located in Memphis, Tenn. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is responsible for treating children up to age 18 with various illnesses including cancer.
Allen, the executive director, is responsible for overseeing the “Up ’til Dawn” Executive Board and assisting Miss Southern with planning and other matters. She said St. Jude Hospital is a center more than just treating childhood cancers.
“We also chose St. Jude Hospital as our community service because it deals with Sickle Cell Anemia too which is prominent in the African-American community,” Allen said. “So, it’s just not about children with cancer, it deals with Sickle Cell Anemia and HIV/AIDS.”
Sweazie commented on her experiences at the hospital saying initially she thought it would be sad, but after visiting she learned that everyone was supportive of one another. She also said the survival rate of patients has grown from four percent in 1962 to 85 percent presently.
The “Up ’til Dawn Letter Writing Party/Finale Event”, “Walk the Red Carpet While Staying Up ’til Dawn,” will take place on Friday, April 13 in the Seymour Gym on the campus of Southern University from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Southern and local area students are asked to organize teams of six and write letters to family, friends, neighbors, etc. followed by games and activities.
The goal of the project this year is to raise $20,000.
“I feel that no child should die in the dawn of life,” Sweazie said. “And it’s so many kids, black kids, from our own community so I feel that is a significant way to give back to our community by giving money to St. Jude.”
“Get out and help your community,” she said.
Community donations can be mailed to: SU Up ’til Dawn, PO Box 74445, Baton Rouge, LA 70874 or on in the Student Government Association office on the second floor of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union. Checks/Money Orders should be made out to SU Up ’til Dawn. For more information, contact Shakelia Sweazie or Lindsay Allen at (225) 771-5515.