Story By: JaMirah Borden
The 2022 College Night season was in full swing at the 2022 Spring Semester. The two sides, Purple and Gold, competed in athletics and created productions from the ground up. All the fun really happens in February, weeks leading up to “Sweet Saturday.”
“College Night is the University of Montevallo’s annual Homecoming tradition where students compete to hear their winning catchphrase on Sweet Saturday. This year is especially special as our sophomore, and first-year freshman will get to experience their first College Night in person”, said Anakate Andrasko, 2021-2022 SGA President.
Beginning on February 16th, students, faculty and staff, and Alumni had the chance to see the two college night shows: Gold Side’s “Ballad of the Mississippi River” and Purple Side’s “Bad at Being Bad OR The League of Incredibly Evil Wrongdoers Who Sometimes Do Good.”
During Friday night’s show, the winners of Mr. and Ms. Montevallo were announced. The finalists were: Dashaun Morgan, Alex Smith, Armando Flores, Jamiya Williams, Paige Stephens, and Madi Kirkland. Voting ended on February 2nd.
The Mr. and Ms. Montevallo winners are Armando Flores and Jamiya Williams. “I’m still in disbelief, but I’m so very grateful for everyone that believed in me to be the face of the University of Montevallo,” said Williams.
Tickets could be purchased in advance or on the days of the show using the university’s online ticketing service. Each show started at 7pm, and there were assigned seats. Tickets were available for purchase every night except Saturday, February 19th.
This night, they were all sold out, and Palmer Hall was filled with current students, alumni, faculty; Palmer Hall was filled with current students, alumni, faculty, and staff.
The night began with both sides chanting and lots of cheering. Introductions were made, and the cheerleaders briefly performed. Like always, each side forms a giant circle before the shows start. Each side’s songs are sung in these circles, and each leader gives a speech.
“The last time we were all here together was 2 years ago, and when we were on that stage, we heard the phrase ‘this is something to be proud of. It was true then, and 2 years later, it is even more true”, said Katy Barnes, Purple Side Co-leader.
“I know that we’ve been waiting for this night for 2 years. It’s been so long since we’ve got to circle up on ‘Sweet Saturday’, said Kensley Sandin, Gold Side Co-leader.
Soon after, it’s time for the shows to start. The purple side put on their performance first, and Gold Side followed after a brief intermission. Many of the attendees used this opportunity to take pictures during this time.
At the end of the night, the moment that everyone had been waiting on finally arrived. Before the big announcement, each person who contributed to the production was called on stage. It was a memorable and heartfelt moment.
Purple Side presented its members first, followed by the Gold Side. A series of side chants went on until Andrasko took the stage. “College Night has been an age-old tradition for this campus since 1919. During the past couple of years, the University of Montevallo has changed the way we do some events. Fortunately, this year we had the opportunity to gather in person”, said Andrasko.
“Together, I know we can win” is the catchphrase College Night will live by for the following year. It is also Gold Side’s catchphrase, and ultimately they are the winner of the 2022 College Night.
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