By Leighah Beausoleil
Music, laughter, and a sense of purpose flooded the New Gym as students gathered to attend Motivation. Intersectionality. Solidarity. Sisterhood.’s (M.I.S.S.) fourth annual “Cirque De M.I.S.S.” March 25.
Canceled because of COVID-19 for the last two years, M.I.S.S. President Mariah Farris said her
organization decided to bring back the carnival to demonstrate to freshmen and sophomores what campus life was like prior to the pandemic.
“Campus culture used to be a lot more uplifting and upbeat,” Farris said.
She highlighted the lack of retention student organizations have had due to the pandemic, adding she has been working to rebuild M.I.S.S.’s membership.
The mission of the organization is to empower, uplift, and support women, especially women of color, Farris said.
She added the organization acts as a “safe place for women of color to to come and speak and voice their opinions and just be heard” on a campus that is predominantly white.
Farris said the mission has “died out” since she first came to FSU, adding before she graduates this semester, she wants to ensure people know about it and will secure its legacy.
Freshman Aisha Sainristil said she is a member of M.I.S.S. and hopes to win the position of co-president in the upcoming club election.
She said as president, she will work to “rebuild the club from the ground up.”
Sainristil said despite its name, anyone of any gender can join.
“It’s really all inclusive,” she added. “We encourage everybody to come to our meetings.”
She said the organization allows people to develop an understanding of one another and what it is like to be “a woman in America, specifically a Black woman in America.
“We’re only stronger together,” Sainristil added.