(Left: Linda Judah, with the Social Welfare Board. Right: Jean Brown, with the YWCA. Both spoke to the walkers about their agencies.)
The Organization of Student Social Workers (OSSW) from Missouri Western State University planned a walk for the Homeless along with the Social Welfare Board. Members of the St. Joseph community along with Missouri Western students participated in the walk. Participants were not required to pay a fee to walk, instead were encouraged to raise funds for the Friends of the Free Clinic.
The money raised would help provide identification cards, birth certificates, transportation and other services that one who is homeless would need. The walk started at the corner of 6th and Messanie across from Empower U. The route took the community members and students to several agencies and that provide services and shelter to the homeless.
The route took the walkers to the following agencies: The Salvation Army, Haven/Juda House, Social Welfare Board – Home Unit, The Crossing, The YWCA and the Food Kitchen. Representatives from each of the agencies spoke to the walkers about the services they provide and how many homeless they serve each year. Professor, Pam Clary, stated “I heard more than one person state that this walk helped raise awareness to the needs/barriers of the homeless people and how within their own lives, they often take simple conveniences for granted.”
Along with walking the route to the different agencies that serve the homeless, the walkers also picked up trash while walking the route. The turnout for the walk was well over 50 walkers, which was great for the cold weather conditions Friday evening. Student and President of the OSSW organization, Joseph Kline, spoke about the walk, “The third annual Walk for the Homeless was very successful. We had a great turn out this year. The community has been very generous in donating money for the Social Welfare Board’s H.O.M.E. unit.” The OSSW organization helps plan this walk every year and feel the turnout gets better each year they hold the walk.
(Left: Students at the Fashion Show. Right: Members of the BSU Executive Board who helped plan the show.)
The Black Student Union (BSU) at Missouri Western hosted two annual events this past weekend. On Friday night, BSU hosted their Fall Fashion Show. Young designers from across the state came to show off their clothing lines. There was a live DJ and the event was hosted by members of BSU. The Fashion Show took place in Remington Hall at 7:45 p.m. The cost of admission was used to pay the entertainment and designers to participate in the show.
BSU empowers and educates multicultural students helping them to achieve success in all facets of their personal and professional endeavors while making a major impact on the campus of the Missouri Western State University. Student, Caress Owens, coordinated the fashion show. Students who walked in the fashion show practiced for several weeks to ensure that the event was perfect along with bringing pure entertainment to the guests.
(Left: Contestants in the BSU Pageant. Right: Winners of the Pageant)
Along with hosting a fashion show on Friday night, the organization hosted their BSU Pageant.
Eight students competed to win the title of Mr. and Mrs. BSU. During the pageant, each contestant addressed a social issue ongoing in society today and how they have experienced this issue in their personal life. The contestants were judged on their speech, talent, confidence, formal wear, and pageant question. The winners received a $200 scholarship, an all-expense paid trip to the Big 12 Conference, the title of Mr. and Miss Black Student Union and being the new face of BSU for the following two semesters. Asya Beasley, a freshman from Omaha, Neb., who is majoring in Sociology, was crowned Mrs. BSU. Antoine Deramus, a freshman from St. Louis, Mo., who is majoring in early childhood education, was crowned Mr. BSU Saturday night.