Campus Activities Board Making an Impact at Huntingdon

Montgomery, Ala. – Confidence, leadership skills, and friendship. Students participating in Huntingdon’s Campus Activities Board (CAB) have discovered these added benefits to their Huntingdon experience beyond the scholarship and service to the institution involvement in the program provides.  “I have learned that if I put my mind to something I can actually do it,” stated Kirstonlynn Schlieve ’27, a first-year participant from Keystone Heights, Florida.

CAB is one of several programs offered under the umbrella of Huntingdon’s Kingswood Initiative, a scholarship program designed to attract good students to Huntingdon who want to invest their time and engagement in non-athletic teams.  Established in the Fall of 2022 with two students in the 2022-2023 academic year, CAB has blossomed to include 13 students this year.

CAB students work directly with Chris Mayer ’22, the Director of Student Engagement and Leadership, to produce a myriad of events, student activities, and gathering opportunities for the entire student body throughout the academic year.   “What a blessing it is for me to have 13 additional minds generating ideas, 13 extra sets of hands and feet to help set up and take down events, and the privilege of seeing 13 dynamic students grow in their leadership skills,” stated Mayer.

Jayy Neston ’26, an English major on track to complete a certification in secondary education from Loachapoka, Alabama, was one of the original CAB members.  “My favorite part of being in this program is seeing all of our ideas come to life and being able to plan these events that people will always remember.”

Students in this second year of the program are divided into two teams with Neston leading a group, and Haley Sutherland ’26, the other original CAB member from Millbrook, Alabama, coordinating the work of the second team.  “My favorite part of the CAB program is not only decorating for events, but seeing the events in action,” noted Sutherland. “Seeing the fun you created on campus is the biggest reward.”

So far this semester, CAB students have produced tailgate parties, worked in conjunction with the Outdoors Club to provide a Mallard Ball on the Green, held a movie night on the Green, and provided games on the Jackson Home lawn such as cornhole and spikeball.  As final exams are approaching, the CAB students are preparing for their capstone event of the semester – the annual Countess of Huntingdon Ball which will take place on November 2.

Freshman Savannah Green ’27 of Geneva, Alabama, is excited about her first Countess of Huntingdon Ball. “I am most looking forward to seeing the decorations after setting up and everyone’s outfit for the night. I think it’s going to be a night to remember.”  Neston echoed Green’s sentiment. “I’m looking forward to seeing all of our hard work come together and to see and hear how the student body reacts to the changes we’ve made since last year, and most importantly, I’m ready for our newest ladies to experience the joy of the ball.”

Speaking of ladies, the current entire cohort of 13 CAB students are all ladies, but that’s something the participants hope to see changed. “We would love to have some guys come be part of CAB,” remarked Sydni Bean ’27 of Prattville, Alabama. She further noted that participation in the program has helped her learn that she is “capable of way more than I thought I was with event planning and that I actually enjoy it.”

Kendall Frederick ’27, also of Prattville, expressed that she has “enjoyed meeting new people and planning events” and discovered that she is good at encouraging and uplifting others through her involvement in CAB.

Although the CAB calendar of Fall events is not complete, the students have already started planning spring activities.  Sara Saxman ’27 of Montgomery stated, “I love generating new ideas for students to get involved and I’m most excited about our new Valentine’s Ball coming up.” Michaela Gaines ’27, also of Montgomery, has learned to juggle more tasks at once through her CAB participation and expressed excitement about water kickball in the spring.

The Office of Admission is currently recruiting students to join CAB for the 2024-2025 academic year.  “I say spread the word about CAB and how to join in on all of the fun we have in the program,” stated Schlieve.  For more information, visit https://www.huntingdon.edu/admission-aid/student-financial-services/financial-aid-and-scholarship-programs/cab/.

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Huntingdon College, in accordance with Title IX and Section 106.8 of the 2020 Final Rule under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, other applicable federal and state law, and stated College policy, prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.  Similarly, it prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age and/or national origin in its education program