Posted by Bolaji Oyejide Morehouse College
on June 07, 2005 at 14:42:56:
In Reply to: 2005 HBCU Cruise: What Happened On The Ship, Stays On The Ship, BUT... posted by Bolaji Oyejide on June 06, 2005 at 07:17:05:
: : 2005 HBCU Cruise: What Happened On The Ship, Stays On The Ship, BUT...
1) IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T SHOUT "DEUCE" (William Morris) out, I'm gon lose my mind!! Whatup, Big Dog! Listen, you were definitely the life of the party at beach olympics, across the board! Your poetry was FIRE, and the chat that you, Tamara and I had during late night pizza is what it's all about. Let's inspire these kids to be more than their environment tells them they can be.
2) We need to come up with a contingency plan to keep the GRAMBLINITES in CHECK!! Y'all were off the METER! Stephanie Wilson, I see you! Tyrone Irby, you're a damn fool, but you'd better be on the ship next year (just no alcohol for you). Crystal McDonald, are there really any words??? :D There is only one you. Ronya, Annetra, Carlton, and the rest of the Grambling crew, y'all made the event.
3) To Ms. Shanita Webb and Crystal McDonald (again) - y'all were untouchable on the dance floor. You'd better be in the dance competition next year! To Fredrika Ellis, you did the doggone thang - congrats on taking the crown.
4) To Cocktails, Jon Goode, and Abyss, your talent was mind-numbing, but your focus and humility is what will most be remembered. Thanks for being real, down-to-earth, and almost stealing the spades competition as a last-minute sign up. Final 4 - not bad!
5) Let's talk about the spades tournament for a hot second. For those who didn't follow the drama, y'all missed out. I GATS to shout out the inimitable LAM AND MERK (Rodney Lambert and Craig Merkerson). Hats of for a solid performance. DEALIN DIVAS - you all were undoubtedly the most fun team, and how you made an entourage out of your opponents is still baffling. I'm putting my money on you next year. SKEGEE (Ivan and Michael) - final four ain't half bad. Keep working on your game - you'll get em next year. D-Starr and J-Bell, for all that smack y'all talked b4 the cruise, Mel and Alecia sure did bend y'all over their knees and tan them hides! Rematch in 06? BIGGEST PROPS TO THE CHAMPS - TONYA AND ARLENE - and what was their team name??? "JUST MET"!! The irony of that is just too much. I'm still thinking y'all are card shark roommates from Vegas...Shouts to all the other participants!
6) D-starr: I still have that hook stuck in my head (IF YOU FEELIN' LIKE BAWLIN!!!!!) Nothing but talent, dog, keep doing what you do. Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude (Did I just quote Jesse? Dammit, man!) Shout-outs to the fellas of AFAR. Stephanie, congrats on winning the poetry competition - you have to perform that poem you did on the phone next year though! I fell out of my chair when I heard it!!
7) Crystal, Kara, and Roni: What can I say? 3 beautiful women, class acts all the way, and nothing but talent, hard work and perseverance behind all that. It was a pleasure working with all 3 of you. You're forcing us to up our game - but we're up to the challenge.
8) Jamal Miller, Chris Early, Rogers, Sharifa, Larry Jemison, Shaunta, Sam and all the other Sophomores... it was a blessing to be able to hang with y'all once again. Let's keep pushing forward in our various spheres of influence. I'll see you on the way to the top - y'all know if you need HBCU Network for anything, all you need to do is holler.
9) Jennifer Miles, Nicole Dunson, Beth Daly, LaShanda Simmons, Virginia Packer, Edwina Walton, Cherie Greene, Aaliyah, Lovo Baysah, Afi Bell, The Reeves family, and all the other freshmen that kept up with the sophomores - thanks for coming with great attitudes, and making lots of friends. Bigger and Better next year - bigger and better.
10) To the folks who worked behind the scenes to make this thing work (Ancel, Roy, John, Bryan aka Boom-Mike, Phil, Courtnee, Alicia, Kim, Michelle, Jaree, Bobby, etc. etc. etc.) - We couldn't do it without you!!
Similar propers to the regional coordinators - Greg Johnson, Shaunta Andrews, Jason Bell, Alecia Davis, Eric Dunigan, Carlton Hamlin, Melinda Holliday, Tovis Ingram, Gregory Johnson, Craig Merkerson, Makeba Orr, Morris Smalls, Michael Watson and Stephanie Wilson (and honorary mention Ms. Annetra Barnes, of course). WOW. You complete me. ;)
Now. I need to get back to work.
p.s.: Thank you Momma and Daddy for all the things you've ever
done for
me. (Got to slip that in there somewhere.) Also, shouts out to
Ray-Ray, Shy-Shy, Earl, Craig an' em.