Missouri State University has been my home for the past four years. Part of what made it feel like home was being a part of this amazing organization since my freshmen year. Throughout the years, the general members and Executive Council have worked together to make a difference on campus to make our organization known to students. We take pride in the events we host and volunteer for the Alumni Center. The past two years, our organization has really made its mark on campus by deciding to celebrate Missouri State’s birthday, which is on March 17! This past year, Missouri State turned a whopping 110 years old! Our organization teamed up with the Traditions Council and other student organizations to bring the celebration around all parts of campus. We wanted to include the entire student body, faculty, and anyone in our paths! We started the day by handing out free doughnuts at many locations around the student union and academic buildings to spread the word about why this day was important to our dear campus. The party was filled with events on the main floor of the Plaster Student Union beginning in the early afternoon. We had a buffet of maroon inspired treats including some of the dining hall favorites like maroon punch, french fries with bear sauce, and cupcakes. Students had opportunities to win prizes through trivia games and a chance to win President Clif Smart’s parking space for a week! I worked at the photo booth at the entrance of the PSU. We had three big balloons shaped as the numbers 110 for our backdrop, silly props to dress up, and a printable Polaroid for students to take home and remember the day. The birthday t-shirts were sold to benefit the Emergency Scholarship Fund for current university students. With all these events going on, it was hard to NOT join in on the celebration! This event has grown from the 109th birthday held in the PSU ballroom, to the entire student union in just one year. I will be graduating this December and will sadly miss the 111th birthday party, but I cannot wait to see what exciting things R.E.A.L. Bears has in store for campus this coming March!