Stetson University encourages cultural and ethnic diversity on campus through its values and through the Multicultural Student Council. The Caribbean Student Association (CSA) works as part of the Multicultural Student Council to highlight and share Caribbean culture, including the annual Carnival event.

From 5-8 p.m. this Friday, April 5, CSA encourages students to attend Carnival on the Stetson Green. Similar to Mardi Gras, Carnival is a festive celebration with colorful costumes, food and Caribbean music. The Caribbean Carnival started on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, and has spread throughout the Caribbean and to Stetson University.

The event is open to Stetson students, faculty, and staff. Culture Credit is also available for students who attend Carnival.

For more than a decade, students in CSA have come together to make Carnival possible and to renew the excitement every year by selecting themes. This year, the Carnival theme is Gems of the Caribbean. This means that members will be in teams or “bands” that are coordinated with a gemstone, such as the diamond, sapphire, or emerald. Carnival is way to embrace culture and CSA’s mission to stand as a “Home Away from Home” for Caribbean students.

Carnival closes out CSA’s four-day showcase this week which includes Caribbean Karaoke on Tuesday, April 2, in Lee’s Garage at 7 p.m., Game Night on Wednesday, April 3, in the Hollis Center Lounge at 7 p.m., and Carnival 101 on Thursday, April 4, in the Hollis Center Lounge at 6 p.m.

Carnival and CSA “inspires education about, the unification of, and empowerment amongst Stetson’s Caribbean community,” says Aliya Cruise, the Public Relations Officer of CSA.

Students are encouraged to participate in Carnival by wearing their own brightly colored costumes and joining CSA during Carnival to take in the Caribbean food and entertainment.

-Carley Fockler

Carley Fockler ’15, English, is a graduate student in Stetson’s M.F.A. of the Americas Creative Writing Program.