What Does It Mean To You?

      Scattered showers weren’t enough to keep students from attending this year’s king and queen preliminaries in hopes of gaining a homecoming crown.

      The preliminaries which were held in the USG Gameroom, gave students an opportunity to showcase their talents to a panel of judges who would ultimately decide their fate. 

       In the gameroom, the contestants individually entered the tryout where they showed their talents to approximately four or five judges, according to Tom Koller. Through things like comedy, singing and dancing the contestants tried to best to prove that they indeed had talent which is what the judges were looking for.

      Inside the tryout room, contestants like Regan McGannon gave it their best shot with high hopes of receiving calls later that evening confirming that they’d succeeded. Pushing them one step closer to the crown and the final prize of $450.00 in money for books.


Regan McGannnon

      McGannon, who performed her lacrosse stick trick, said she was driven to enter the competition after attending it her freshman year. 

“I saw the competition a couple of years ago, and I thought it was fun. I enjoyed it a lot and I wanted to do that for people this year,” said the elementary and exceptional education major. 

      Now a junior, McGannon said she’s extremely proud to be attending Buffalo State College and would be pleased to its’ homecoming queen. 

“It would mean a lot to me because I take pride in being apart of the Buffalo State community. I‘d be really happy and thankful,” said McGannon.

      However, McGannon isn’t the only one who feels that gaining the crown would be great.

      Jennifer Gelormino who did stand up comedy, said she’d not only be grateful for the crown, but for the prize that accompanies it as well.


Jennifer Gelormino

“I believe there’s a gift certificate for books. That would be nice to not have to pay for books next semester, said the hospitality and tourism major.

      Encouraged by her sister to compete, Gelormino believes that among the group she’d make a great queen.

“I have great talent and I’d make a great Queen,” said Gelormino.

      Among other contestants, Khadijat Olagoke also tried her hand at becoming a finalist in the competition. 

Olagoke said that winning the crown wouldn’t only be a great achievement, but show that Buffalo State believed in her.

“It would mean a lot. I feel like this school had put a lot into me and it’ll show that Buffalo State believes in me,” said the first year contestant.

      The double major of political science and spanish, said that ultimately her pride in Buffalo State is what drove her to enter the competition.

“I just have a lot of Buffalo State pride, so why not? I believe in Buffalo State,” said Olagoke.

      The preliminaries which were held last Tuesday, gave students an opportunity to show their skills just days before a final decision was to be made. According to Koller, of approximately the six girls and five guys that tried out each made it to the next and final round. However there could only be two winners who would take home a crown.

      While the ladies were among the many who tried out, ultimately the decision was left up to the judges who’d decide the best suited king and queen to take the thrown. 

The Ink Club Presents "Greeks Speak"

       As the students trickled in, the Ink Club stood center attention of the lecture style classroom preparing to begin their annual Greek Speak event. When all was settled and the room nearly filled, they began by introducing themselves and then welcoming their first opening act.

       As a member of the Alpha Nu Omega fraternity made his way to the front, the audience’s attention quickly shifted and the room grew intense. Facing over a 100 pairs of eyes in a room of silence he began with a prayer, then shared his thoughts with the world.

       The Greek Speak event, which aims to enlighten student awareness of Greek life on campus, gave Greeks an opportunity to express themselves amongst peers.

       Through things like poetry and story-telling, sororities and fraternities took center stage to share their emotionally driven pieces and countless experiences.

       The Ink Club, which is a student based organization, created the event after finding that many students were particularly interested in Greek life.

       Mercy Badmos, who’s Vice President of the Ink Club, said the event was specifically designed to give students more insight into Greek life.

"There’s a lot of Greek life on the campus, and a lot of people who are interested,” said Badmos.

       Badmos believes the event presents a perfect opportunity for self-expression, which is ultimately what the Ink Club is all about.

“People speak through their poetry. It’s a form of expression. That’s what the Ink Club is all about,” said the communications major.

       Kuburat Ibikunle, who’s the Event’s Director of the Ink Club, expressed how she loved that the event incorporated everyone among the student body.

“Because the Ink Club always likes to incorporate everyone, we brought the Greeks out to express themselves. We do not single anyone out,” said the communications major.

       Ibikunle said her hopes are that students will take away more from the event than merely entertainment.

“I hope that people will have more knowledge of the Greeks out there, with all the Greeks coming out,” said Ibikunle.

       The event, which featured Greeks including Iota Phi Theta, Phi Beta Sigma and Omega Phi Beta, not only captured the audience’s attention, but a number of students say they enjoyed it.

“I enjoyed it. It was a little short, but the content was good,” said Diamond Mazelin.

       Mazelin who majors in social work, said for her the best part of the show was a duet performed by members of Iota Phi Theta and Omega Phi Beta.

“I really like the group with the duet,” said Mazelin.

       Philicia Montgomery who was also in attendance, said she felt the event went great.

“I thought this event was very successful given that both FSA and USG were holding events at the same time. I thought they had a good turnout and great feedback in relation to the audience’s reaction and applause,” said the writing major.

       When discussing upcoming events, both Badmos and Ibikunle brought up their much anticipated “Sexclusive” event. As they encourage students to attend, it will also feature a collection of poems and short stories and will take place in Bulger North on December 6.

The S.P.I.R.I.T. Within

       Dressed comfortably in a burgundy tee, light blue jeans and tan boots, Marcus Samerson was at ease as he joined his fellow choir members in prayer before their rehearsal.

       As they stood full circle, eyes shut and hands joined, their prayers for strength and guidance lightened the mood for the challenges ahead. And Samerson whole heartedly embraced it along with the other members of the B.S.C. school choir, as they were all smiles through out the duration of rehearsal.

       Samerson, the 1^st year President of S.P.I.R.I.T.(Students Praising In Rhythm In Truth) has sung on the choir for four years and feels there is more to it than merely singing. He says singing for the choir has not only helped him to further enhance his spirituality, but helps him to deal with day to day issues including stress.

“It helps me to get out stress and drama,” said the double major in electrical engineering technology and technology education.
      
       Samerson is one of the many members who feel that singing for the choir has brought them closer to spirituality, and indeed the choir is a family of it own.

       Growing up in a Christian household, Charlene Browne admits that at one point in college her religion got shaky, but she was able to find her way back and it’s even stronger. Browne, whose now the Vice President of S.P.I.R.I.T., enjoys singing for the choir and believes that what they’re doing is a great.

“Music in general, it speaks for the soul. And when you’re singing for God, there’s a special connection. That’s my favorite part of choir singing,” said the mathematics education major.
      
       She also expressed the fact that she loved the closeness within the group and the family like qualities it held.

“We’re a real big family and we love each other. It’s like home,” said Browne.
      
       Like Browne, Tabitha Wisotzke also mentioned that she strongly admires the closeness of the choir.

“The choir gives you people you can talk to. I hang out with people from S.P.I.R.I.T. and I like that we have the same values,” said the political science major.
      
       Despite only singing on the choir a month, fellow member Lazarus Lynch was sure to express how much he’s enjoyed his experience thus far.

“I’ve loved every part of it. There’s a sense of community, and everyone here loves God and music. Spirituality is a good place for me and I like Gospel music,” said the dietetics and nutrition major.

       Lynch, who previously sung on a choir in Long Island, says that singing for the choir has been more than encouraging.

“The fact that I’m here around other believers I get encouraged. You can lose sight. It helps to draw you closer to your relationship with God, and maintain closeness,” said Lynch.
      
       As rehearsal for their November 10th concert in Rockwell Hall concluded, they were sure to join hands and bow their heads in prayer. The members sung in tune as they sang Israel Houghton’s “Moving Forward” with a few pouring out emotion filled notes in the interim. Subtlety swaying from side to side the group seemed to be more of a family than a choir.
      
       However this family was unified through their love for God, and their values more so than anything else. One thing for sure that the members may agree on is that,

“Loving Jesus is the best choice anyone could make. It’s the best romance ever,” as Lynch said.
　
　

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