The Odyssey Peer Mentoring Program hosted a small showcasing event Feb. 22 for students wanting to artistically express themselves.
The event was open to all students who wanted to perform on stage or attend as audience members. The event featured free admission, and everyone who signed in received a raffle ticket.
Several students participated with performances that ranged from singing, rapping, dancing and reciting poetry. To complement the performances, attendees were treated to coffee, a small buffet of sweets and the opportunity to participate in a raffle drawing, which awarded winners T-shirts and other small prizes.
“We wanted individuals performing to feel free to move and express themselves,” said Nicole Simmons, coordinator of the Odyssey Peer Mentoring Program. “For the audience, it’s great to provide free entertainment and a place where students can socialize and connect with the arts in a co-curricular format.”
This was the first time the Odyssey program has put on an open mic night, which was organized after a recent discussion within the Odyssey executive board.
“We plan on making this event a regular event for our organization,” Simmons said.
Odyssey is designed to aid students just starting out at KSU by pairing them with more experienced students that can help with the transition into collegiate life. Students and their mentors are matched based on similarities such as degree interests, hobbies and overall availability times.
Odyssey offers many opportunities for its members to get together and be a part of community engagement projects. They also sponsor social and campus-wide events, such as the open mic night.
“It’s one of our goals to provide venues where students can connect with each other and feel connected to the campus community,” Simmons said.
For more information about the Odyssey Peer Mentoring Program, visit its page on OwlLife, or contact Nicole Simmons at nsimmon6@kennesaw.edu.
