On Feb. 24, Women of Excellence (WOE) and Black Student Alliance (BSA) hosted the Celebration of Excellence Ball, an event for student organizations under the Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Access umbrella and other students to show their support to the local charity “Love on a Mission” while allowing the chance to express themselves in a formal manner.

This is the second year the Celebration of Excellence Ball was able to be held consecutively and was completely sold out days before the event with a total of just over 120 people in attendance, including Ashland University President Dr. Carlos Campo as opposed to the 2022 Celebration of Excellence’s 60 people in attendance.

Many who were in attendance explain that the event was a welcome outlet with Reslife Coordinator Sara Pison saying that “the speeches were excellent” and that she “was happy to see so many people in attendance for the event.”

The event offered activities such as speeches from the student organizers as well as speeches from the representatives from “Love on a Mission”, a raffle for various prize baskets with the funds going to the previously mentioned charity along with the proceeds from the tickets sold for the event. In total over 036;1,000 was raised for “Love on a Mission”.

Adjunct professor Debra Weaver was present for the event as a representative of “Love on a Mission” and gave a speech stating how thankful the organization was to the student organizers as well as the office of DEI stating that the funds raised by the event would help LGBTQ+ children in need.

After the event a candlelight vigil to those who have lost their lives to gun violence was held. A moment of silence was observed after which Zoe Bogarty, president of Women of Excellence, recited a poem that she wrote on the topic of privilege and how it is still prevalent in today’s society.

Notable organizations in attendance included groups such as Eagles for Pride, The sorority Theta Phi Alpha, Women of Excellence, Black Student Alliance, Student Senate, representatives from the charity “Love on a Mission” as well as departments such as the office of Residence Life, Psychology Department, Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Access, Student Affairs, and representatives from the Ashbrook Center.