QT13 Shines During Freshmen Week

By: Nadia Commodore

This past week, Quintessence 13 class officers hosted Freshman Week, a week dedicated to bonding with and celebrating the youngest members of the Hampton community. 

The theme of the week was “Quintessence and The Chocolate Factory,” inspired by the Roald Dahl novel “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.” It featured daily events to get the class involved, including a Sunday chapel service, a game night, a “Wonka Wonderland” themed afternoon with various candy-centered activities, and the biggest events at the end of the week: the annual Freshman Fashion Show on Thursday and Friday’s Freshman Ball.

The theme of the fashion show, The Black Renaissance, took the audience through various eras of African-American fashion and culture, ranging from the 60s and 70s all the way to an Afro-futuristic era. 

Ashley Vines, an HU first-year Strategic Communications major and fashion show attendee, shared her thoughts on the execution of the theme. 

“It captured the beauty and essence of the black youth perfectly, from the hair, nails, walk; everything was perfect but [of course] that’s why we are the standard of excellence,” she said. 

The show featured freshman class designers like LJ Collinsworth, owner of vintage clothing business Pinstripe Apparel, and an intermission performance by Hampton’s modeling organization New Era. 

Mckenzie Harmon, a first-year marketing major, also attended the fashion show and believed the performance represented the freshman class well. 

“Class of ‘28 is filled with so many fun and creative people. The freshman fashion show was just a glimpse of the baby QTs and what we have to offer,” she said. 

When asked what her favorite part of the show was, Harmon said:

 “It’s hard to choose a favorite because every scene is so special, but I absolutely loved the intro because it set the tone for the entire show!”

Gabrielle Williams, a first-year Strategic Communications major, was a model in the show and shared just how strenuous the preparation was. 

“As the show kept getting closer, practices kept getting longer and basically all of your free time became dedicated to the show,” Williams said.

Following the Freshman Fashion Show, the week concluded with the Freshman Ball, themed “Golden Hour.”

  The black tie event gave students the opportunity to dress up and enjoy a night full of music and camaraderie. The event coordinators offered a limousine service to pick up students from their dorms and escort them to the party, giving the night an opulent aura reflective of Quintessence 13.