Club & Tribe Spotlight: Kokoa & Laguna
This week: two organizations creating unity & community among their members.
From the editor: Clubs and tribes are impactful parts of Mississippi College student life. Members and alumni often cite the relationships they built within their organizations as highlights of their college careers.
For the second installment of Club & Tribe Spotlight, Blue & Gold will be introducing Kokoa Men’s Club and Laguna Social Tribe. In their mottos and slogans, as well as in the testimonials of their members, the two organizations highlight, above all, close-knit community and unity in diversity. Read on for two examples of the relationship-building power of social organizations in action.
Kokoa
Established in 2012, the Kokoa Men's Service Club is dedicated to fostering meaningful connections and changing the world.
"Broken for God, broken for each other, whole through Christ," the club's slogan, demonstrates how its members prioritize spiritual development and mutual assistance. The club's motto, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17), embodies the belief that encouraging one another makes people stronger. White and purple are the club's colors.
Kokoa’s philanthropic work is a major facet of the club’s identity. The club supports Joni and Friends, an organization that helps families affected by disabilities. This gives Kokoa members the chance to serve others and grow in compassion.
Kokoa is also greatly involved on campus. The club recently placed second in Mississippi College’s annual Follies competition. They have been named Club of the Year two years in a row, a testament to the members’ dedication to teamwork, brotherhood, and making a positive impact.
“Kokoa has been a life-changing experience,” said Conner Dyess, the club’s president. “It’s more than just service projects. It's about the deep relationships we form and how we support each other, both spiritually and personally. We grow together as brothers.”
“The brotherhood in Kokoa is unlike anything I’ve experienced,” Blocker Harvison, the vice president, added. “We challenge each other to be better, not just as men, but as followers of Christ. It’s amazing to be part of such a strong and loving community.”
Kokoa continues to make a lasting impression on its own members and members of the community through faith, service, and true brotherhood.
Laguna
Laguna Social Tribe was established in 1952. Its official symbol is the mouse, and its colors are blue and yellow. The organization’s current sponsors are Hannah Wallace, Mandy Martin, and Leah Trainer.
“Through our diversity, we find our personality” is Laguna’s motto. The organization’s members emphasize their close sisterhood and uniqueness.
“I realized that Laguna was where I wanted to be when I saw how authentic the girls in the tribe were,” said Vice President of Recruitment, Brinley Sullivan. “They are women who love to have fun together, and who offer genuine support to one another in times of need. Laguna is a place where I felt like I could be myself in all ways and feel loved and supported. The ladies of Laguna embody support and sisterhood like no other.”
“The thing I appreciate most about being in Laguna is knowing that I always have people to rely on,” said member Cait May. “If I need to borrow an outfit or cry on someone's shoulder, I never have to question going to someone in Laguna.”
Laguna’s members also fondly remember their tribe’s unique traditions and events.
“A tradition we do every year that I love is giving ‘brick words,’” said Vice President of Public Relations, Haleigh Roberts. “Each class that comes to Laguna has the opportunity to give each other something called a brick word. This is a word they feel is the foundation of their sister. It is special because everyone has a unique word, and every one is given by others in Laguna. It is a special thing with lots of sentimental value. We are later given an actual brick with our word on it to keep forever!”
“One of my favorite events is the first chapter meeting after all the new members are active,” May said. “It's so sweet to bring them in and introduce them to a new side of Laguna in a way they haven't experienced before.”
Laguna also serves the Hard Places Community as its philanthropy. “HPC seeks to bring justice and healing in the darkest corners of this world, with a focus on rescuing men, women, and children [from] human trafficking,” Roberts said. “I love working with them because it is not local to MC, so we get to serve in unique ways that only strengthen our bonds across seas. It is such a clear example that God’s love crosses oceans and connects anybody from anywhere!”
Laguna Social Tribe is a close-knit group of women who emphasize their diversity and closeness. Its members revere the organization as a way to make lifelong friends and memories together. From yearly traditions, to tribe events and spur-of-the-moment adventures, the ladies of Laguna cherish every moment they have together to grow in faith, friendship, and servitude. “Every time I am with these ladies my heart swells with joy,” said Sullivan. “These girls teach me so much as I get to walk through life with them.”
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