Rain doesn't stop Sul Ross Juneteenth festivities

ALPINE Sul Ross State University commemorated true emancipation with a Juneteenth celebration June 19 at the University Center.

Although President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, slavery in Texas was not officially abolished until June 19, 1865. Originating in Galveston, the holiday has been celebrated for more than a century, and became a partial staffing holiday in 1980 in Texas.

Jeff Blake, campus activities coordinator, planned an afternoon of activities to celebrate the day.
"I wanted to do an event in the summer midsession, and June 19th popped out," he said. "I researched Juneteenth and decided to pursue that."

Blake's initial plan was to have inflatable water slides outside on the university grounds, but due to the weather the celebration was moved inside.

"The idea was to give people a chance to cool off, but the weather changed it," he said.

The rainy day did not stop the program from continuing. The inflatables were moved inside the University Center and included an obstacle course, jousting, boxing, racing and twister. Along with the inflatables, Tramaine Rausaw, director of residential living, read the Emancipation Proclamation and sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the African-American National Anthem.

Rausaw has been involved in Juneteenth celebrations before and explains that he has always read and sung..

"It's a small start, but it's a start," he said. "It adds exposure to the university and its educational movement for the students mostly. I'm really proud."

While closing the program, Rausaw gave his thoughts on how this is a fun and educational experience for Sul Ross.
Blake plans for this to become an annual event at the university for years to come, and hopes that it will continue to grow.

"Hopefully we can do the same next year and the year after, and it keeps growing and that we can educate students," he said.