A legacy unmasked
SGA announces new scholarship at its Masquerade in Maroon and Gold event
A masquerade mask sits on a table during the Masquerade in Maroon and Gold event in the Bioscience Building on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (CM-Life | Claire Vachon)
On the count of three, members of the Student Government Association (SGA) removed their gold masks to symbolize unity, openness and student voices behind leadership. Transforming a lecture hall into a banquet for their Masquerade in Maroon and Gold event, the university’s student leaders celebrated how they are contributing to a 105-year legacy.
“For more than a century, the Student Government Association has served as the voice of students, shaped by individuals who stepped forward to lead and challenge systems and create an everlasting change,” SGA director of operations Zainab Naaz said.
On Feb. 13, Student Body President Akua Achaempong announced the launch of the SGA scholarship, with the hopes of contributing something more permanent to SGA’s legacy. Recipients of the scholarship will be student leaders who are involved on campus. Achaempong said it’s an initiative to encourage more students to be involved or stay active in leadership.
President Neil MacKinnon said the president’s office provided $1,500 to start the scholarship. He is working to get donors to contribute to it and encourages others to do so.
“We’re just excited to play a very small role in making it happen,” MacKinnon said.
Student Body Vice President Kathryn House said it's undecided if the scholarship will be exclusively open to SGA members. She is working to get the scholarship solidified into the SGA's constitution and bylaws so future SGA leaders can continue to manage it.
According to House, planning for the scholarship and anniversary started in May.
“It has been a long and tedious but amazing and fulfilling process,” she said.
Along with celebrating 105 years of student legacy and involvement, she said the goal of the masquerade was to announce the scholarship. She said herself and the planning committee worked hard to bring Achaempong’s vision for the event to life.
“When you think about what we’re celebrating here tonight, and how (Achaempong is) getting folks engaged, will have a legacy for years in the future,” MacKinnon said.
Under Achaempong and House’s leadership, House said the association has worked to center students by:
- Holding an executive round table event for student leaders
- Attending weekly “pop-out” events of different Registered Student Organizations
- Hosting an administrative town hall
In other news:
Ammar Khalid was unanimously voted in the Student Budget Allocation Committee by the general board during their meeting Feb. 16. House also swore in Speaker of the House Ella Swenson and associate justices Shirin Umarova, Syeda Mahreen and Natasha Wright.
