Casanda Anderson
Reporter
The city of Columbus is presenting a series of events from Nov. 28 to Dec. 13 to ring in the holiday season.
The festivities start on Nov. 28 with the lighting of the Columbus Christmas tree at the east end of the pedestrian bridge on the Riverwalk. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. with caroling from the Columbus Choral Society. Columbus Mayor Robert E. Smith Sr., will light the magnolia Christmas tree at 6:15 p.m.
Trisha Maxey
Photographer
The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Sciences hosted its annual Science Carnival on Oct. 18 in Pohl Gym.
More than 1,100 third and fourth graders from communities across northeast Mississippi were expected to take part in the fun. During the event, students from MSMS taught hands-on science experiments at eight stations. The experiments covered areas such as chemistry, biology and physics.
Lauren Trimm
Reporter
The W hosted a series of events on campus from Oct. 20-22, including a writers’ symposium, a press conference and a gala.
The Eudora Welty Writer’s Symposium began Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall. Brad Watson, author of “Miss Jane,” was the keynote speaker. Other writers included Patricia Boyett, Randall Horton, James Kimbrell, Cole Lavalais, David Armand, Paulette Boudreaux, Dana
Chamblee Carpenter and Kendall Dunkelberg. This year’s theme was “Overcoming the Silence: To Speak Out When ‘It Warrants No Stir.’” This title was inspired by Welty’s 1966 novel, “The Demonstrators,” which dealt with racial issues and integration.
Tara Baucom
Reporter
The W’s Art & Design building hosted an exhibit for Dia de los Muertos, also known as “Day of the Dead.”
The exhibit is a collection of personal pieces put together by Beverly Joyce, Erinn Holloway and Jo Shumake. It is the second year this exhibit has been set up in the Art & Design building. Dia de los Muertos is a celebration of ancestors who have died. The holiday is marked thoughout Latin America, but is predominantly celebrated in Mexico.
Lauren Trimm
Reporter
MUW’s Department of Health and Kinesiology hosted three events Oct.4-6 to commemorate Women’s Health Awareness Week and encourage women to live healthier lives.
The events focused on sexual health, heart health and metabolism. Speakers for the events included Dr. Kathrynmay Malone, Dr. Caroline Payne-Purvis, Dr. Hector Dox and Melissa Parsons.
Casanda Anderson
Reporter
The W’s Student Success Center held a poetry night on Oct. 3 in the W room.
Students, faculty and more showcased their poetry skills. The event was held to encourage members of the W community to read this year’s Common Read Initiative book, “Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson. CRI aims to explore literary heritage and inspire discussion of key issues.
Takeisha King
Reporter
Members of The W Leadership Program presented “It’s OK to Say No” in Cochran on Oct. 4.
“It’s OK to Say No” was designed to reach out to students who are taking on more than they can handle in school and let them know that it’s OK to say “no” sometimes. Organizers of the event said that at a small university such as The W, students tend to be more tight knit than at larger universities and more likely to say “yes” whenever a classmate or friend invites them to join a new organization, add a class or take on a new project. This urge to overcommit can cause negative effects on a student’s well being.
Sumra Hayden
Reporter
The Mississippi Court of Appeals heard oral arguments at The W on Oct. 3 as part of the “Court on the Road” program.
The Court on the Road program allows anyone with an interest in the court system to learn how courts work at the appellate level. Three of the 10 judges in the Mississippi Court of Appeals met at The W to hear an appeal in a civil case and an appeal in a criminal case. The Court of Appeals only deals with cases that have been previously settled in a court of law but have certain facts in dispute.
Tara Baucom
Reporter
The W is offering a scholarship in honor of Sisters Margaret Held and Paula Merrill to graduate nursing students.
The Held-Merrill Fund is an endowed scholarship that will be offered to graduate and doctoral students who embody the character of the two sisters, who were graduates of the nursing program.
Sumra Hayden
Reporter
The W held its community service fair on Sept. 14 in the W Room to encourage students to volunteer and make a difference in their local community.
Local agencies such as the Greater Columbus Learning Center had informative booths set up for those interested to stop by and learn more about potential volunteer opportunities.
