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

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I Godwin Field plays host to a day of food, fun and fundraiSing. byjoanna Brenner gone smoothly without the volunteers who rallied together before, during and after the event. Sophomore Meghan BoUenback was a member of the marketing public relations division for the event. She helped prepare by designing advertise- ments and writing letters to campus organizations, asking them to participate in the event by sponsor- ins an activity booth. She also wrote letters to Harrisonburg residents informing them about jMubilee. On the day of the event, BoUenback photo- graphed activities and performances, worked in dif- ferent food stations and helped set up and take down all the tables and chairs. In the end, everything was a success, high hopes for future jMubilees. We use Godwin field for the event, and I would love to see it completeh ' filled with activity booths, said BoUenback. I think the more clubs we have involved, the more awareness there will be around campus about jMubilee. And then that could lead to a greater turnout and to us raising more money to give to the Harrisonburg Mercy House. The whole event is about giving back to the Harrisonburg community. and I think we could give back more if we can get more participation. In the end, the day was a success, made evident by the smiles of the 1,500 attendants, ages two to 72. It was just a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon, said sophomore Meredith Halvorsen. I liked seeing little kids from around Harrisonburg all running around and having a good time, as well as all the entertainment. Breaking it down, the Breakdance Club entertains attendants. Circle K. Safe Rides and Zeta Tau Alpha were among other clubs that participated in the event. Photo by Tara Hep er Experiencing a state of inebriation, a student wears beer goggles to create an usion of intoxication. The goggles simulated the effects of excessive alcohol con- sumption. Photo by Taro Hep er jMubilee 1251

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come come Come ne, Come Providing entertainment for campus and community members alike, university groups create a variety of different activities- In an effort to increase attendance througfiout the town. )Mu- bilee included games for all ages Photo by Tara Hepler It was a beautiful spring da) ' on March 1 8 as over 1,500 people made their way to Godwin Field for Madison Festival. Kno vn more common!) ' as jMubilee, the event provided a day of entertain- ment and interaction for both university students and Harrisonburg residents. Created bv former Student Goxernment Association President Tom CuUigan and graduate Corey Schwartz, jMubilee debuted in 2005 and aimed to foster student and community relations in a relaxed and fun atmo- sphere. The event also raised money for Mere) ' House, a local transitional housing shelter. Campus and community organizations pro- vided carnival-type games from face painting and tug-o-war to a kids ' moon bounce and an inflat- able rock-climbing wall. There was also a main stage set up where a variety of groups such as Exit 245 and the Harrisonburg Clogging Club performed. The Universit) ' Program Board sponsored the final performance by comedian Tim ' oung. a graduate of the universitv. Aramark provided those attending with free food including hot dogs, cotton cand)-, ice cream bars, apples and popcorn. Coca-Cola provided refreshments for the daw As with an ' da)-long event, there was a great deal of planning rec]uired, especially considering the ambi- tious goals Schwartz set for the occasion. Our first goal was to increase attendance to the event. In fact, we ended up more than doubling the attendance from the first year, said Sch vartz. Second was to get a more even split of conmiunity and campus people there. The first year it was about 20 percent communit) ' , 80 percent campus. This year it was more like 40 percent community and 60 per- cent campus. Lastlv, we wanted to demonstrate that so manv different organizations and campus groups can work together at JMU to pull off something this grand, this meaningful and this important for the future of JMU and Harrisonburg relations. After the success of the 2005 jMubilee, the steer- ing committee had an entire year to plan. During the fall, the jMubilee executive staff sought sponsorship and funding for the event b) ' recruiting universit) ' and commimit ' orijanizations. The dav would not have Enjoying the beautiful weather, a young member of the Harrisonburg community takes advantage of the many activities provided for her age group. The festival kicked off during the afternoon and fun and games continued until sunset- Photo by Tara Hepler I 24 I Features

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takeastand Student groups organize to increase awareness of violence against women, by Mindiwesthofr Conversing in hushed voices, groups of three or four students apiece littered tiie floor of Taylor 305 every Tuesday night through- out the spring semester. As freshly baked cookies made their way around the room, group leaders and members planned energeticallv, barely able to contain their excitement. Known as the co- alition, the men and women behind the 11th annual Take Back the Night event were especially eager throughout the month of March as the main event grew nearer. On March 28, after months of promo- tion and fundraising, the night finalh ' arrived. Take Back the Night, originally called Reclaim the Night, began in 1976 in Belgium as a way to spread awareness of sexual violence against women. The highlight was a candlelight vigil and march through campus, symbolizing women ' s desire to walk through the night without fear of attack. Expanded to include the experiences of men and children as well. Take Back the Night grew to become an international phenomenon as well as an annual event at the university. Each vear, the Take Back the Nia;ht Coalition passed t)ut fl ers and flooded Potty Mouth with news of the event and ways the student body could help. A concert was held in Februar)- as a fundraiser for the evening, featuring a cappella groups, studeiu bands, the Duke Dog and the Breakdance Club. 1 26 I Features mmtf