Celebrating Collaboration, Health, and SUccess with Junior/Senior Week 2024

“This is not an illusion,” stated the joint Junior and Senior classes on Instagram, ahead of February 26, 2024. “The more you think you know, the more you’ll be amazed.” Junior and Senior Week occurred from February 26 to March 1, 2024. The Junior and Senior Class Cabinets led the week with a theme inspired by the movie “Now You See Me,” which they then titled “Now You See Us.” Throughout the week, the cabinets hosted various events including a movie night, a “R&B and Paint”, the Miss Thicker than a Snicker Pageant, Wellness Day, and a “Queen’s Quest.”
Junior and Senior week started on Monday, February 26, with a movie night assembled in the Union Ballroom. The event showcased the movie “Now They See Me.” This was an opportunity for students to bond with the classes and enjoy a movie night with them.
On the next day, Tuesday, February 27, the classes hosted “Wellness Day” in connection with our SGA President, Brandon Horne. This event was campus-wide as they canceled class from 11 AM to 3 PM for mental health awareness. The purpose of the suspension of the classes was to shed light on overall wellness and ensure that all students’ mental needs were addressed; from having counseling sessions, to being able to do yoga on Mayberry Lawn.
Then, Wednesday, February 28 marked the highly anticipated annual Miss Thicker than a Snicker Pageant. The Pageant featured four different rounds: Prettiest Wednesday outfit, White-Collar Crime, Swimwear, Talent, and the Formalwear and Interview round. The contestants included Jaishel Capdeville, Jasmine Carter Douglass, Kierra Daniels, and Taniya Nichols. Sophomore Kierra Daniels from New Orleans, Louisiana, was crowned the 2024-2025 Miss Thicker and Snicker and was also named Miss Social Media, garnering the most likes and comments on her pageant photo.
Thursday, February 29, consisted of a Black History Jeopardy event in collaboration with Men’s Federation. Here, students were able to learn black history facts in an interactive setting fostered by various board games and an intimate space between the participants and hosts, held in T.H. Harris Multi-Purpose room.
Junior and Senior Week concluded on Friday, March 1, with “Queens Quest,” where students were able to challenge their class queens with board games and playing cards, as well as socialize and eat with them throughout.
Male and female students alike enjoyed Junior and Senior Week with Jordan Smith, a sophomore, majoring in Therapeutic Recreation and Leisure Studies saying, “The Yoga on the Bluff was a much-needed event. It was soothing to touch the grass and stretch with the sun beaming on us. It was a great event to attend by yourself or with some friends.”
Jessica Bellamy, a freshman, majoring in Criminal Justice, expressed, “I liked it. The marketing and graphics for the week were well thought out and put together. I also appreciate the cabinet for addressing mental health awareness.”
Brandon Horne, a senior majoring in History Education and current SGA President stated, “I feel as if a Junior and Senior Week went well. I feel like one thing they prioritized was Black History Month and they took us through a journey that was rooted in culture, resilience, and brilliance. One of the things that was a highlight of the week was the Miss Thicker than a Snicker Pageant. It’s always the show-stopper and the main event of the week. This provided an opportunity for the women to showcase their talents and build their confidence as women. Also during the week, we did the Wellness and Success day for the students, in which they decided to be in partnership with academic affairs to get classes to be canceled from 11-3 and allow students to be vulnerable, and understand that we care for them and here for them at all times.”
As the curtains closed on Junior and Senior Week, it left a huge mark on Southern University’s campus by showing the unity of the classes, highlighting mental awareness, and reminding everyone what a true celebration of the strength and excellence of the students looks like.