On Feb. 3, the Black Student Association hosted the BSA Awards. The night was filled with live performances by students from Bridgewater and the announcement of award winners from multiple categories.

“We started this event in November,” said BSA co-chair senior Shaleria Bradley. “The approval process was basically all of us talking to Sam, and in her absence Whitney, and making sure we connected with campus events, the office of DEI and people in student life who make sure that the event was approved. They pretty much gave us a free-range of creativity.”

Before the show started, BSA held a pre-show social at the bottom of the Eagle’s Nest. Audience members were able to have their pictures taken at photo booths and enjoy light refreshments before the doors opened in Cole Hall.

The awards show had a large audience turnout that left some members surprised. “Since it was a first time event, we were not expecting this type of crowd. We were kind of shocked at the crowd to be honest,” said Bradley.

The categories for the awards were best dressed, most involved, life of the party, partners in crime, most likely to go pro, academic scholar, happily ever after, campus clown, beautiful soul and pre-lifetime achievement. “We asked each other ‘what do we want to see?,’ ‘what do we need?,’ ‘what do they want to look for?’ and ‘what does the student body want to see?,’” said Bradley.

During the middle of the show, the E-board members of BSA did their own performance and got the crowd involved by performing “The Swag Surf.”

Many members of the audience enjoyed the show that BSA put on. “They were great, especially Stephen,” said junior Mateo Tucker. “I would say he’s one of the greatest.”

Sophomore AB Knight, performed a lip sync of Lil Baby’s “Freestyle.” “Camryn talked about it, and I was like ‘yeah, I’ll do it for you.’ If they were to have it again next year I would,” said Knight.