SGA to Light the Way at Southern Miss

The University of Southern Mississippi will host its 5th annual Lighting the Way for the Holidays Sunday.

Serena Williams, codirector of the event, said that Lighting the Way is a university and student government sponsored philanthropy event that features holiday entertainment, hot chocolate, student organizations and business sponsorship for a deserving charity.

"Lighting the Way is a meaningful way for the university faculty, staff, students and community to gather and celebrate the most wonderful time of the year," Williams said.

As codirector, Williams works closely with this year's director, Brandon Baker.

"Brandon has been so great to work with this past semester," Williams said. "Together we plan the event, which includes picking a theme and charity, finding organizations to perform and donate and getting tree farms to donate Christmas trees."

This year, the selected charity is the Smyles for Myles scholarship fund. This fund was established in memory of Myles Henderson, a former student Southern Miss. Henderson served as a resident assistant, male cheerleader, SGA senator and Honors College scholar. In his memory, his parents, Barry and Cindy Henderson, created a scholarship fund to award to students from the greater New Orleans area. All proceeds from Lighting the Way will go toward a student from New Orleans who will attend USM as a freshman.

Senior communication studies major Mary Lois Hanna has attended the event since her freshman year.

"It draws the Hattiesburg community and Southern Miss together to ring in the season of Christmas," Hanna said

This year's Lighting the Way will feature Dance South of Hattiesburg, A Show of Hands, Spirit of Southern, a men's a cappella group, a women's a cappella group and other university student ensembles. There will also be student organization tree displays as well as the main event - the lighting of the university's Christmas tree.

"I love the performances on stage while drinking hot chocolate and talking with friends," Hanna, who is also the chair of Lighting the Way for her sorority, said. "It truly is a magnificent event put together by our student government. I am so excited to be able to participate in such a wonderful event."

Lightening the Way will begin Sunday at 6 p.m. in front of the Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building.