On April 8, 2015, students and faculty of Kean University prepared themselves for a night of glitz and glamour in Downs Hall for the Leadership Institute’s charity Masquerade Ball.
Every year, the gold leadership program chooses a cause to advocate for and this year, it was sexual assault and domestic violence. The Leadership Institute believes that the highly anticipated event was successful, raising a total of $3,559.33 for 180 Turning Lives Around Inc., a private, non-profit charitable organization dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence in the community and providing a variety of services to individuals and families who have been affected by abuse.
The Leadership Institute has been dedicated to the cause all semester, fundraising through bake sales, online donations, and personally asking friends, family, and local businesses for donations.
At promptly 7 p.m., students dressed to the nines and made their grand entrance to Downs Hall in anticipation of “social hour”. The social hour was reminiscent of most cocktail hours in which attendees were given the time to mingle amongst themselves and enjoy appetizers provided by Gourmet Dining and chicken sandwiches generously catered by Chick-fil-A. Colorful masks were also provided for anyone who was not able to bring one of their own.
The real party began when Alyssa Leona senior, secondary history education major, took the floor to remind all why they were there: to help end the silence. Leona then took the time to introduce the foundation of the entire campaign: Taylor Williams, junior biology pre-physical therapy major, and Kimalee Nichol-Ford, junior psychology major, both of them gold leadership members. The two hostesses along with the whole Leadership team worked non-stop to make sure that this magical night could come together for a worthy cause.
When individuals were asked if they could say anything to a person struggling with domestic or sexual abuse, junior public relations major Kristin Manganelli said that they need to know that they deserve better.
Without further ado, the guest performances of the night began. Nadia Bangura and Tyisha Cummings-Norman, both sophomore students of the Kean Dance Theater, the university’s official dance company, performed an interpretive number. They sported black gowns and masks of their own, which were removed by the end of the routine to signify the unmasking of domestic violence and sexual assault. “Domestic violence can happen to anyone,” explains Bangura, who is also a member of the Leadership Institute. “My mask represents the pain that the victims carry with them everywhere.”
Finally, the dance floor erupted with flying masks and flailing limbs. DJ Nix In The Mix, popular amongst Kean University events, filled the atmosphere with a variety of different dance music that everyone could enjoy. The dance floor did not die down until dinner was served and guest speaker, Nicole Rodriguez, managing assistant director community standards and student conduct stepped into the spotlight. “I think it’s awesome that the students of Kean University are so interested in such a great cause,” says Rodriguez.
Rodriguez continued to remind everyone why this cause should be prominent to them, stating the statistics that hit close to home for college students. “Women age 16-24 are the most prevalent demographic amongst victims.” It is always good to be mindful of the many offices and services that the university provides, such as STEP UP. The STEP UP program on campus, which is also run by Rodriguez, credits itself as a bystander prevention program that is devoted to the safety and well-being of others.
From the moment the ball began, people might have been curious as to what the projector screens in each wing of the hall might have meant. The grand reveal of a short film, entitled End of Silence answered this question. Director Marlon Escobar, junior film major, teamed up with silver leadership member Orlando Taylor with a vision: to show people the faces of domestic abuse. Staring Malik Gilmore, Taylor Williams, Daisha Davis, Aaron McMillan, Tykime Davis, Liam O’Hare, Jess Kramer, and Alyssa Leona, the mini-movie illustrated that abuse can happen to both men and women. “Even though I was playing a character, it was really hard. I didn’t want to go through it again,” says Davis, who played a victim of an emotionally and physically abusive husband in End of Silence.
To lighten the heavy load the short film put on attendees, ADM, another dance group on campus, rocked the dance floor with an unforgettable arrangement to a variety of remixes of popular songs whilst also sporting matching masks in lieu of the event. The rest of the night was left to the responsibility of the DJ and the dancing did not stop until after 11 p.m.
The night concluded with the announcement of the winners of the raffles. Many bundles, baskets, and gift cards were donated to the Masquerade Ball as prizes. Everything from baking goods, blankets, coffee and teas, comedy club vouchers, gym equipment, and beach accessories were gifted to the lucky ticket holders.
The night was filled with music, energy, dancing, and joy, but some students left with heavy hearts. One student, Michelle Rodriguez, a junior psychology major weighed in on the cause. “Raising awareness is important because women and men need to know that there is a way out,” said Rodriguez.
When all was said and done, The Leadership Institute thanked everyone for coming and helping to raise awareness and funds for 180 Turning Lives Around Inc. and domestic violence and sexual assault.
Don’t be a bystander, speak up, and end the silence.
Students enjoying the masqerade ball
Ojilvis Nunez l The Cougar's Byte
