James Madison University - Bluestone Schoolmaam Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

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praise singers singers by Meg Streker contemporary gospel singers united in faith Contemporary Gospel Singers (CGS) was an organization created not just for gifted musicians, but also for those with strong faith and appreciation for life. We are a gospel choir and a ministry and the way in which we minister is through song, said Corresponding Secretary sophomore Erica Ponder. CGS, the university ' s only minority gospel choir, had a religious focus and its members represented a wide range of faiths. Gratefulness was a theme among the singers this year, not only as a song they frequently performed but also as a way of living for members of CGS. The song ' s lyrics echoed the singers ' passions: I am grateful for the things that you have done 1 am grateful for the victories we ' ve won 1 could go on and on and on about your works because I ' m grateful, grateful, so grateful just to praise you Lord. CGS Director sophomore Demetrius Lancaster believed this song embodied the beliefs of the singers because of the way they lived their lives. When we take the opportunity to show appreciation to our Creator for all that He has done for us, the stresses of being students become so insignificant and we ' re able to work with new motivation, said Lancaster. Members of the organization showed gratefiilness to their femilies while en route to a concert at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va. Broken down on the side of Interstate 64 East, the singers were concerned about making it to their performance. It was scary, but so many members were from the Gathered on Homecomint; weekend, CCS members siiij; along with .ilumni following trndition. The focus for ICGSI this year is to show the love of lesus Christ on IMU ' s campus and in the surrounding communities, said sophomore Demptrn Lancaster. Pholo courtesy m Charell Wingfield Richmond area, and they called their parents, and family members, and we were still able to get to the event on time, said senior DaNae Colson. This is memorable because to see how strangers came together to make sure we got to our destination safely (especially on a Sunday) touched my heart. According to CGS ' constitution, its mission was to promote and cultivate spiritual and mental growth by spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through song at James Madison University and the surrounding communities. The group performed three to four times a month and some of their most notable performances included off-campus concerts at Sunnyside Retirement Home and an AIDS Benefit Concert. On campus, the group performed at its annual family weekend concert, the Homecoming concert, the Gospel Extravaganza and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. At Homecoming we always do a few songs at the end with alumni members of CGS on the stage, said Vice President senior Michael Frempong. It ' s always fun to see what songs they remember and meet more alumni members. Before every rehearsal, the group held small Bible studies called devotionals. Divine Unity Righteously Applying God (Du RaG) ministries ' founder Troy Burnett would speak to the choir and set the atmosphere for the practice, CGS is a way to take a break from the hectic college life we live and also a way to praise God and I can appreciate CGS for that, said Colson. 2.C U iJrgcmizationd

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Surrounded by mountain scenery, women cross country runners make it the top 01 the hill. Runne trained to maintain stam in different climates nd terrains. Photo courtesy i lessica Hoppe Front row: lessica DeLosh. Kini Daniels, Tessa DuBois, Laura Bryant, Leah Raskin, Anne Ralston, Laura Lascio; Second row: laitlvn Berkovvitz, Andrea Wolff, Matthew Harmon, Sarah Verne, Brittany Burke, Tina Dilegge, lessica Hoppe: Back row: Patrick Deal, Eric Schramm, Danielle Haas, Cash DeWitt, Ryan Cury, David Frazier, Michael Breslin Club Crodd Country cvid (JracKM 2

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Passionately belting out songs of worship, CCS serenades Dukes tans at the Homecoming weekend concert. Before the singers took the stage, poets from the FurioLis Flowers Poetry Center opened the show. Photo courtesy of Charelt Wingfield Front row: l;rira Ponder, ChMM Rawlings, Alicia Carroll, Tiffany Johnson, Allyson Kennedy, Telmvr Lee, Ansa Edim, Ashley [laniels, Victoria Gaines, Porscha Penn, Claudia Boateng, Amanda Williams, Tiara McKeever; Second row: Ashton lones, Felicia Bracey, DaNae Colson, Brittany Hopkins, Anthony Bowman, Jillian Flowers, Angela Saunders, Margaret Beckom, kathy Logan, Brad lones, Cassandra Howell, Leah Young, Renee Jacob; Third row: Constance Fillison, Andrew lackson, Ron Clay, Rissan Major, lasetta Perkins, Charell Wingfield, Darria Whitley, Nicole Carter, Amber Martin, Joshua Brown, nemetrius Lancester, Jeremy Winston, Tana Wright, Liam Smith: Back row: Heavenly Hunter, Lenise Mazyck, Winston Inland, Michall Frempong, Shaun Winbush, Troy Burnett, Ashley Perry, Tabatha Sherman, Durrell Lewis, Loren McLaughlin, Cina Harp, Resa Curley (contemporary Cfodpel jingerJU 2.0 I