The George Alleyne Hall at the University of the West Indies hosted Ctrl George, a premier student development showcase and cultural festival at the hall’s grounds recently.

The hall’s parking lot was transformed into a high-energy, high-fashion experience blending student leadership, Caribbean creativity and bold campus culture into one unforgettable night.

The event featured a full programme launch, where resident advisors introduced this year’s student development tracks, booths for every club and society on hall, including art, medical, entertainment, wellness and entrepreneurship, a live DJ set featuring popular disc jockey DJ Hibby and live performances.

In an interview with Observer Online shortly after the function ended, Tevin Rose Hall, chairperson for The George Alleyne Hall, spoke about the objective of Ctrl George.

“The objective of Ctrl George was to launch and showcase the various clubs and societies at George Alleyne Hall in a fresh and engaging way. It provided students with the opportunity to learn more about each group’s purpose, activities, and leadership structure, while also introducing them to the individuals responsible for the different areas. Most importantly, it allowed students to identify the clubs and societies that best align with their interests and passions and sign up accordingly,” said Rose.

“We were very pleased with the turnout and level of support at tonight’s event, especially considering that the students have had a very busy week filled with activities while still attending classes.

Additionally, the matriculation ceremony took place just a few hours before the event, so we were particularly encouraged to see so many students still come out and participate. Their enthusiasm and willingness to engage with the various clubs and societies demonstrated a strong interest in getting involved and being active in student leadership,” Rose added.

Asked how the dissemination of information will assist students in navigating through the academic year, Rose said, “This initiative will give students a greater sense of community and purpose, while providing opportunities to develop important skills such as leadership, public speaking, teamwork, communication, and building meaningful relationships with their peers.

These experiences can extend beyond their time at George Alleyne and positively influence their university life and future careers. Some of the clubs and societies specifically provide platforms for students to develop confidence in public speaking, take on leadership roles, and challenge themselves in new ways.

Ultimately, we hope these opportunities will help shape students into more confident, well-rounded individuals and better versions of themselves.

Hannah Collins Myers, the reigning Miss Universe Jamaica Kingston & St Andrew, is a student of the University of the West Indies and a resident at The George Alleyne Hall.

“Ctrl George has been super fun,” she told Observer Online.  “It has also been educational, and I have learnt a lot about the different clubs and societies. I will definitely consider joining one this year.”

Deputy Hall Chair, Callia Cowan, concurred with Collings-Myers’ assessment of the event.

“It has been a wonderful and lovely event, my residents they are out in their numbers, and I just love their overall spirit and energy. I am looking forward to this semester, because I would love to see the clubs and societies taking over the UWI campus,” said Cowan.