Kappa Gamma’s Freestyle Fridays a success
Felicia Emmanuel|
ST. CROIX- University of the Virgin Islands students on Sept. 20 gathered around the Student Activities center to watch fellow students exhibit their freestyling talents during Freestyle Friday.
Freestyle rap is a spontaneous performance done without preparation.
Emulating BET’s 106 & Park segment, Freestyle Fridays allow UVI students to exhibit their rapping creativity, while allowing their peers to vote on the best performance. The winner would then defend his or her title at the next Freestyle Friday.
“The purpose of Freestyle Friday is to bring life and spirit to campus,” said Sheena Tonge, vice president of Kappa Gamma.
“We usually have a rap battle,” Tonge said. However, lack of contestants led to a decision not to have a match.
Despite having no contest, students still showed their support.
This was especially encouraging to part-time UVI student and DJ Charles “Daddy Pollo” Goodings Jr. Goodings, 22, believes support from his peers helped make the occasion successful.
“I surprised myself,” Goodings said. “I really didn’t expect to see so many people come out. Just the fact that I’m playing, people came out to support.”
He has been a DJ at other Kappa Gamma events such as on-campus basketball games and Dancehall Cardio.
“Kappa Gamma supports students doing big things,” Tonge said.
In terms of participation, Kappa Gamma President Junior “Judah VI” Garcia was no exception.
Garcia dropped some verses to Nicki Minaj’s “Beez in the Trap.”
The occasion ended on a festive note as friends of Khalid Edwards held a surprise birthday celebration in his honor.
Overall, students such as Remah Asad were pleased with the outcome. She felt it brought the students together as one.
“The music and allowing everyone to be themselves in an environment that is not strictly professional is always fun and good,” she said. “It’s like an appreciation event towards the students.”
Students unfamiliar with Kappa Gamma should know it is a marketing and management group.
“Clubs and organizations on campus would plan events and the events would not turn out the way they would want to in terms of publicizing the event. Therefore, Kappa Gamma was put in place to help with the media,” Tonge said.
By using sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, Kappa Gamma utilizes them all to the host club’s or organization’s advantage.
Their involvement, however, does not end with promotional work. Kappa Gamma secures volunteers to help with clean up.
Students interested in Kappa Gamma events can reach out to them.
“We always have flyers up,” Tonge said. “We have a [Facebook] page you can contact Mr. Garcia or you can contact myself.”
Students can also go to Mrs. Hedda Finch-Simpson’s office in the Student Activities Center for more information about the club.
Tonge added that interested students can speak with Kappa Gamma members at their events.
Once there, the organization can acquire contact information.
UVI VOICE 
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