Jackson, Mississippi – Well look at this! Right now, students from Jackson State University and from many other college campuses across the United States are partaking in the Up to Us competition to raise awareness about the national debt and the economic impact it will have on current and future generations. Millennials… caring about the U.S national debt? This is truly a site to see! If you didn’t know, Up to Us is an annual, nonpartisan, national wide campus competition that college students compete in to raise the most awareness about the rising national debt issue in an informative and creative manner. This is the 2nd year JSU has been in the competition and they have the dream to win the competition… two years in a row! From what their team (Terrence Dillon, Tokia Abram, Rashad Wilson, Will Tadley and Cordell Talbert) has done this semester alone, it would not be a stretch to see them accomplish that.
Jackson State University’s Up to Us team held many events on campus this spring semester that were themed around the national debt. Members: are taking charge on this national debt movement. The 1st event was “Test the Debt” Trivia. They spent an entire week quizzing 8 classes in the college of business about their knowledge of the national debt and giving the top scoring class a pizza party. On February 22nd, 2018, many competitors in the competition took part in My Two Cents Day; where the focus is to talk with students on campus about the national debt and have them take the Up to Us pledge; acknowledging the importance of the rising national debt. JSU had many obstacles in their way, but despite them, they were able to obtain 1000 pledges from students before the day ended; the 1st and only college out of the competition to do so! This time they had a mascot called Marty McDebt and their theme was “Lets Drive Away The Debt”. It’s a very unique way to get students involved on campus.
This last event they held on March 19th tops it all off in a way everybody has to appreciate. They held their 1st ever “Debt to The Future” Museum. This event was held in their College of Business and consisted of many national debt themed installations put together by all the partnering clubs involved for students to learn and interact with. Some stand out examples of this are Accounting Society’s board theme which was “What *Accounts* for the U.S National Debt?” It displayed on the board a pie chart detailing what all sections of its money is owed to. Economic Development Society did an informative piece on the “debt ceiling”; an aspect of what has allowed the national debt to become so high. Using their mascot “Doctor Debt Brown” (back to the future reference duh!) they were able to attracts hundreds of students to come support!
There is a few days left in the competition and they are still working hard. Help Jackson State University take home 1st place by signing the Up to Us pledge. http://www.itsuptous.org/get-involved/pledge