By: Asher LeVos
Southern’s Senate confirmed Jordan Collazo as the newly elected social vice president for Student Association (SA) on Jan. 14, just three days before he hosted his first event, the Mid-Winter Party.
Collazo came into this role unexpectedly after his predecessor, Lily Mutai, did not come back to Southern this semester due to personal reasons, according to Mutai. While he is a freshman, his resume includes working as an assistant to the previous social vice president and running the Cub Squad program, which pays students to help with event setup and take-down. He was nominated for his position by then-SA President John Hargy.
While other candidates were also considered for the role, Collazo stood out, according to Alexis Grentz, director of Student Life and Activities.
“[Collazo and Mutai’s] style of working together was very collaborative, which allows for Jordan to pick up right where they left off,” Grentz said.
Collazo wanted to live up to the confidence that his mentors, who had helped to recruit and mentor him in his previous role, have placed in him.
“If they see that I’m capable of this role, I’m not going to back down,” said Collazo. “I wanted to meet their expectations, but I never thought I would be able to get this role.”
Collazo acknowledged the potentially overwhelming pressure his new executive role presents.
“So, it’s definitely been pretty intimidating coming into this position and telling people older than me what to do,” Collazo said. “Thankfully, everyone is really nice and understanding. They know that I’m learning and want to help guide me.”
Three days after he was appointed to his new SA position, Collazo prepared to launch his first solo event, the Mid-Winter Party. Collazo said he felt confident in the event setup and details because of his previous experience, yet he still worried the event would not meet the expectations of students and staff.
On the night of the party, neon lights glowed in the dimly lit gymnasium of the Iles P.E. Center. Scattered groups of students played glow-in-the-dark pickleball while, on the other half of the court, more students participated in volleyball and basketball. Most who attended the party eventually found their way up onto the stage, where Southern’s Art Club had set up tables for making keychains with strings and charms. Nearby, partygoers could also visit a glow-in-the-dark face painting station and a photo booth.
Sarina Young, a senior graphic design student and the communications director for SA, noticed how many attendees gathered at the art tables.
“Something I’ve noticed recently is that people are more drawn to the art activities, and I think that’s really cool,” Young said.
Rileigh Juba, senior animation major, helped organize and manage the keychain activity.
“I’m so happy that SA asked the Art Club to be here,” said Juba. “They emailed us and helped provide funding and supplies. I’m happy they did so, because we had a good turnout at our booth.”
Summer Lehmann, sophomore physical therapy assistant major, said she enjoyed the booth.
“It’s really aesthetic and colorful,” Lehmann said. “It was really fun to make keychains.”
