Club & Tribe Spotlight: Rotaract & Kissimee
This week: two organizations that capture the spirit of club & tribe life.
From the editor: This week marks the third installment of Club & Tribe Spotlight, which means we’re over halfway through Blue & Gold Media’s overview of all 10 social organizations at Mississippi College. Like the four groups covered before them, this week’s spotlight organizations, Rotaract and Kissimee, value service, community, and tradition. Read on to see how they, in their own unique ways, demonstrate those values that make club and tribe life special to so many.
Rotaract
Rotaract Men’s Service Club was founded in 1987. Its motto is “Service above self.” Rotaract's official colors are red and black, and they currently serve Soul City Church as their philanthropy.
“I like seeing the community around the church come together and show up to the events we usually help put on at the park in the area,” Service Chair Bryce Varner said. “Last time we were there, we helped with a burgers and basketball event that supported the kids in the area.”
Rotaract actives often praise the organization for its friendly atmosphere and intentionality.
“What really drew me [to Rotaract] initially was how every active made a genuine effort to remember my name from the start,” member Price Hester said. “It was a small thing, but it separated them from some of the other clubs. I also loved that everyone was shamelessly themselves. Nobody was trying to put on a front or act a certain way to impress.”
“One of the main reasons I rushed Rotaract was because it felt like home,” said member Grey Thompson. “Rotaract accepted me for who I was as a person, and not because where I went to high school or how much money I had. No one is just another set of dues in Rotaract. Everyone is appreciated for themselves, which is what true brotherhood looks like.”
The men of Rotaract also emphasize the memories they make with their brothers.
“My favorite memory in Rotaract is when we found a spot to all go cliff jumping together,” said member Austin Lane. “We spent hours there swimming, talking, and having a great time in a new place. That place now has a special place in my heart because of the guys I was able to be with.”
The organization also has several beloved traditions which members fondly remember. “One event we have every year is our poker night,” Hester said. “This night is usually a little while after rush ends, so it’s a great opportunity to get to know the new guys while spending quality time with everyone.”
“Our Christmas party is a tradition that we all look forward to especially for the new members and their bigs,” Varner said.
Rotaract's members truly cherish the organization for being a haven of service, character growth, and close brotherhood.
“The most fulfilling thing for me is how close our club is,” Thompson said. “I am friends with every single active member on a personal level. Rotaract truly feels like a family and has helped me grow academically, spiritually, and as a man during my time at MC.”
Kissimee
Founded in 1952, Kissimee has long been a beloved and prominent group at Mississippi College, offering a place for ladies to develop their community, faith, and service. Kissimee's slogan, "To be beautiful rather than seem beautiful," which is rooted on the principles of love, humility, and inner beauty, embodies the group's commitment to fostering the sort of beauty that results from a quiet and gentle spirit, as described in 1 Peter 3:3-4.
Kissimee has been an enormous blessing for Anna Brooke Lara, a senior at MC. “Kissimee has given me some of my most cherished blessings in college,” Lara said. “I’ve gotten some of my best friends who encourage me in my walk with the Lord, and they make my life fun! Kissimee has given me opportunities to serve and give back what has been given to me. And it’s pink!”
The tribe’s commitment to philanthropy is evident in its involvement with the Clinton Community Christian Corporation, a local outreach organization that serves the community in meaningful ways.
For junior Hannah Hinckley, Kissimee has been a place of growth and support. “Kissimee is a place for so many different types of girls,” Hinckley said. “These girls have taught me how to love well and make me feel welcome enough to be more myself!”
Kissimee remains a place where women develop socially, emotionally, and spiritually, providing a lasting legacy of sisterhood and faith under the direction of sponsors Dr. Ashley Krason, Becca Benson, and Kasia Twiner.
 | A guest post by
|
 | A guest post by
|