Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Marking the Quadrennial
OSU celebrates leap day birthdays Jonah Barker Staff Reporter
OSU celebrated 12 students’ rare birthdays on Thursday. They were recognized for their rare leap day birthdays in the Student Union at a first-of-its-kind event. Students with leap day birthdays were recognized at the first quadrennial Leap Day Birthday Party, hosted by OSU CampusLife, which brought students from all corners of campus together for one big celebration. Alex Comer, who helps coordinate the club activities on campus, spoke about the event’s creation. “Yeah, we were kind of joking around the other week, saying how funny it would be to throw a birthday party for all the leap day birthdays,” Comer said. Comer said coming up with the plan was spontaneous and easy. “We went back and forth on what we can do, and now we’re doing it,” Comer said. The birthday party’s highlight was the specially commissioned Leap Day Cake from Celebrations Catering, a catering service on campus. Comer said the cake was the centerpiece for the party and it turned out great. Haley Osiek, the student volunteer center coordinator with Campus Life, who helped plan and run the event, said leap day birthdays are rare.
OSU CampusLife OSU CampusLife hosted its first leap day celebration to recognize students with leap day birthdays and celebrate leap day.
“Yeah, we ran a quick data run, and there’s 12 students on the Stillwater campus that have a Leap Day birthday,” Osiek said. “We probably had around 100 students walk through and grab a
slice of cake.” Osiek said Celebrations Catering’s creativity helped capture the spirit of the event. “We told them that our theme was
frogs, and to just run with that,” Osiek said. “They really showed out, they did a pond, with little frogs in mini cowboy hats. It was great.” news.ed@ocolly.com
OSU crowns 2024 Mr. and Miss Black OSU Courtesy of OSU News
Philip Soliz The next session of “Money Talks” starts April 8 and is “Financial Mistakes College Students Should Avoid.”
“Money talks” explores ways for students to overcome financial setbacks Hayden Alexander Staff Reporter
It can be difficult for some students to stay on top of classes, finals, midterms, campus involvement and jobs, but OSU is equipped to help out. OSU’s Financial Planning What is a five-letter word for a Coaches work daily to help students college student’s worst nightmare? figure out new ways to tackle their Money. finances. College students are no strang“We make sure that we can ers to financial issues. Between help them enjoy college as much as student loans, school expenses, rent, possible without having to worry food and other basic needs, students about the financial aspect,” said Ben are constantly thinking about money. Mitchell, a financial planning coach
in training. Mitchell just completed his second month with the team. Mitchell and fellow coach Cali McGuire talked with students at their monthly series “Money Talks.” This week, the team is exploring how to overcome financial setbacks with students. “The hardest part with a lot of students is trying to figure out a plan and what are some financial setbacks that come with paying for college,” McGuire said. See Money on 8
Oklahoma State University highlighted its student community during the annual Mr. and Miss Black OSU pageant on Saturday, Feb. 24. The event, hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, named Albony Bryles and Toni Purnell as the new royalty. Bryles, a sophomore from Moore, Oklahoma, and Purnell, a junior originally from Chicago but raised in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, both emerged victorious after a night of showcasing their talents, academic achievements and commitment to community service. For Bryles, the most significant lesson learned was about mental fortitude. “There were many ups and downs,” she said, “So staying confident was difficult at times.” Bryles, a biology pre-med major, aspires to be a doctor and is passionate about ensuring comprehensive and equitable health care for Black college students. Purnell, driven by his personal experience navigating the intersection of race and sexual orientation, will focus his reign on uplifting and elevating the LGBTQ+ Black student body. ”There is nothing that filled my heart more than seeing my community cheer me on,” said Purnell, a film major. See Crowns on 6