Georgia on our minds
By Jasmine Johns, Contributing Writer
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
So many Marauder football fans wanted to attend the Savannah State game that the University chartered a bus to take them to Georgia. On Oct. 28, 2005, dozens of students made the trip, paid for by the office of residence life.
“I wanted the students to have the opportunity to enjoy a good game and experience a road trip,” said Interim Residence Life Director Raynaldo Gillus.
Gillus said he wanted to go to the game, and then learned that the Student Government Association was sponsoring a trip — at a cost of $65 per student. When Gillus became aware of that fact, he sponsored a free trip for students’ enjoyment. He used money from his own budget to pay for the trip. “It was the collegiate thing to do,” Gillus said.
The bus ride to Savannah took 13 hours and the bus was cramped. But students had the luxury of movies along the way.
“Students conducted themselves as young men and women,” Gillus said, “I think the students represented Central State in a positive way.”
After arriving in Savannah, students changed clothes and visited a local mall. “I found some things that I liked in the mall,” sophomore Steven Styles said.
Later, some students ventured off to enjoy the town, while others kept company in their rooms. “I hung out with friends and stayed up late talking to the security guard about the school,” sophomore Sierra Byers said.
Other students went clubbing. “I went to Club Ice, hosted by the men of Omega Psi Phi,” Styles said, “ It was a homecoming party with free food and drinks all night. At the club they had sit down tables, pool tables and no fighting at the end of the night.”
The next day, the students went to the game and enjoyed the homecoming festivities. “With two minuets left, I thought we were going to loose,” Gillus said, “I was surprised that we won. I hoped that we’d win.”
Students enjoyed some southern hospitality and sunshine. “The weather impressed me the most,” Byers said.
“It is always nice to see another HBCU (Historically Black College or University),” Gillus said. “It was a chance to get away from Wilberforce.”
Gillus is also sponsoring a Christmas event and will take students to a dinner theater for Christmas. He hosts outside classroom learning activities, so students can have a well-rounded educational experience.
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