Jakota White, a senior integrated marketing communications major from Gulfport, Miss., did not expect to attend the University of Mississippi when he first started browsing for colleges.
Now, the newly elected Mr. Ole Miss could not imagine himself anywhere else.
“I will jump at any opportunity to speak my mind about the place that has accepted me, that has welcomed me, that has molded and formed and shaped me into who I am now,” White said. “I think that is why I decided to run, because I have a chance to show my love for this place.”
White is joined alongside some of his closest and oldest friends on the Homecoming Court. He became friends with Homecoming King Caleb Ball and Homecoming Queen Vanessa “Nessa” Bonner during his time as an orientation leader. He met Betsy Vise, Miss Ole Miss, shortly after that during his sophomore year.
“I remember thinking about where our journeys would take us years down the line, when we (would be) seniors. It’s so full circle, and it’s so crazy, because those kids freshman year never would have thought that we would be here (or that) we would be here together,” White said.
White — who is the first person in his immediate family to attend the spot that ever calls — has become involved in many organizations at Ole Miss and described himself as “chronically over-involved.”
“I’m involved with (Ole Miss) Ambassadors. I’m also involved with SAA, the Student Activities Association. I’ve been involved with RebelTHON in the past, I’m a part of the Columns Society (and) I was involved with… Ole Miss Orientation Leaders in the past,” White said. “And then some campus ministry, Pinelake College and Ole Miss CRU.”
While homecoming election season might be over, White’s journey as Mr. Ole Miss is just beginning. As one of the requirements for campaigning for a Homecoming position, candidates choose a philanthropic organization to support. For White, Oxford-based organization Lovepacks was a clear choice.
Lovepacks provides supplemental food for students in the school system who otherwise might not be able to afford it. During his little over a week of campaigning, White raised a little over $900 for Lovepacks and collected donations in the form of nonperishable food items. He will continue to collect donations during his term as Mr. Ole Miss.
“I chose Lovepacks to begin with because … it was really important to me that I didn’t just choose a nonprofit because I had to have a philanthropy. … I wanted to make sure it was for a good cause and it was something that I was passionate about,” White said. “Their mission aligned with mine, as far as spreading love, but, also, it just felt like a place that I could be able to shine a light on.”
White appreciates the efforts made by his support system throughout his campaign.
“I could not do it alone, even we as a team couldn’t do it alone. … People just came around me and supported me in every way, whether I was tabling or texting or running to get me lunch, or a coffee, especially when I didn’t even ask (for) it,” White said. “That just means so much to me.”
Heading into homecoming weekend, White offered up a final reflection.
“Just the fact that anyone would think about little old me in this way, it definitely gives you a real ‘I get it’ moment. I get what this is all supposed to be about,” White said.
