The BSA Ball: A Jazzy Night In Paris

The Black Student Association Ball

A Jazzy Night in Paris

It is once again time for the annual Black Student Association (BSA) ball. The ball will be held on this Friday, October 1, 2010 from 10 pm - 1 am in the Lankford Student Union Ball Room.  The event is free open to the entire Longwood University campus. Attire for the ball is semi-formal. A Jazzy Night in Paris is the theme for this year’s ball, and the event will offer a few party favors as usual. There will be a live jazz band, a live DJ and free food provided by Longwood’s very own catering services.  

Meet Lozarius Little…

            Lozarius is from Bedford, Va., and he is a Political Science major and a senior at Longwood.  He describes himself as outgoing, talented, and loud. He is the Vice President of BSA, and he has been a member since his freshman year. From Lozarius’ perspective, “this ball will be amazing and different because of the team that behind the ball, they are very passionate about the event and getting everyone on the campus to come out and enjoy the ball.” Door prizes will be given away, but only to students who get a ticket, for giving a dollar donation, to a BSA executive member while they are tabling at Dorrill Dining Hall during this week. “All kinds of music will be played [the selections will range] from pop to R&B to jazz. The ball will be symbolic of Paris because the decorations will mimic different parts of the city, said Little.”  

Meet Janis Reid… 

Janis is from Williamsburg, Va., and she is a Business Marketing major and senior at Longwood. She describes herself as someone who enjoys hanging out with friends and family members as well as trying new things. Janis has been a member of BSA since her freshman year. She“ is excited about the ball because “It's a time for [her] to get all dolled up, fellowship with friends, eat great food, and listen to good music.” She is also looking forward to the first 45 minutes because she “wants to be serenaded by jazz music since the ball didn't have that in previous years.” This is the first time in years the BSA ball has been on the Friday of Oktoberfest. Since, “Most students have nothing to do on Fridays after the bands, instead of going back to their room they can come out to the ball free of charge.” She is anticipating the food, music, VIP section, and door prizes, which are typical BSA ball signatures. Janis comes to the balls “to support the organization as well as have a good time laughing and being around [her] friends. I enjoy dressing up in accordance with the different themes each year, said Reid.” 

Meet Steven Brown… 

Steven is from Halifax, Va., and he is a Business Administration major and sophomore at Longwood. He describes himself as cool, down-to-earth, and kind of shy. This is Steven’s first year as a member of BSA. As far as the musicians go, Steven (Longwood student) will be playing piano, James Bland (Longwood student) will be the bassist, Bianca Watson (Longwood Student) will be the saxophonist, and Corey Wright (Liberty student) will be the drummer. They also plan on having four singers, which will include a leader with at least three background vocals. According to Steven “The type of songs we will play will be a mix of popular songs with jazz influences. For example, we will take a song like, Unbreakable, by Alicia Keys and perform it with a little jazz added to it.” The band as a whole is striving to bring something new to the ball, and add some variety to the atmosphere. “The musicians will make sure [the] music is correct and the dynamics are at a good level.” They will do at least four songs as a full band, and the musicians may also play a few instrumentals. “I am very excited about playing; especially since the band really plays into theme of the ball .You cannot have a jazzy night in Paris without the jazz, said Brown.”

Do you still need more convincing? Here are a few reasons why these students think you should attend the 2010 Ball:

• It is for the students of Longwood
• To support BSA
• To gather with friends
•  It as an alternative to frat parties
• To listen to various musical selections
•  It is an opportunity to dress to impress

So, if you do not have anything else to do this Friday, and you don’t mind dressing in semi-formal attire come an experience A Jazzy Night in Paris with the members of BSA and your other peers.

Yours Truly,

Roberta Collier  
 

The Black Column: Intro

Meet Latoya and Roberta 

 Roberta   Latoya 

                                                                            

            According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary the definition of the word black is “of or relating to any of various population groups having dark pigmentation of the skin”. Also, the meaning of the word column is “a vertical arrangement of items printed or written on a page”. For the purposes of Longwood University and The Rotunda,“The Black Column” is an outlet for the black and/or African-American population of Farmville and Longwood University.

“The Black Column” will address the triumphs, programs, issues, etc. of the black community in the town of Farmville with emphasis of things happening on the campus of Longwood University.  This column is the creation of two Longwood University seniors, Latoya Miller and Roberta Collier; both are young black women and Communication Studies majors.

Before Latoya and I start “The Black Column,” we want to make sure people are aware of the foci of the column. We would also like to tell you all a little about ourselves, so you feel as if you know us and also think that we are credible sources for this column.

Latoya Miller was born on December 31, 1986; she was born and raised in Richmond, Va. She is a Rotunda Reporter and she aspires to be a TV show host that is considered as good, if not better, than Oprah Winfrey. She describes and/or defines herself as being loud, ambitious, hype and outspoken. 

I was born on August 6, 1989 and partially raised in Huntsville, Ala. I currently reside in the town of Gurley, Ala. I am a member of the B.S.A. (Black Student Association) and B.A.S.I.C. (Brothers and Sisters in Christ) Gospel Choir on campus. I am also a Rotunda Reporter and a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. I aspire to be an A&R (Artist and Repertoire) executive at a record label. I describe and/or define myself as a quiet, loving, God-fearing, and soft spoken person that stands up for what I believe in.

It is evident that Latoya and I are polar opposites. The only things we have in common are our race, sex, major and school. We represent two different types of young black women, and we are confident our differences will work out for the best of this article and allow our stories to be both interesting and factual.

We both have recognized issues and triumphs in the black community in the Farmville and Longwood area, and we would like to inform the campus and the world alike of what our community is doing. Black people are a minority on this campus and Latoya and I want this column to be the voice of all types of black people.

We encourage the black community to not just complain or share with each other. Latoya and I charge you all to let the world know what you do and what they can do for you as well.  One of my teachers once said to me, “You can complain about issues, but if you just complain nothing is getting solved." So, be more proactive and contact Latoya or myself at TheBlackColumn@hotmail.com with any issue you believe needs to be discussed. 

Yours Truly,

Roberta Collier