Kiera McGuire

Features Editor

When I sat down with Mariah McKenzie ’26, I was introduced to a hard working and social student. As the current president of Wooster Activities Crew (WAC), treasurer for Black Student Association (BSA), general member of the Black Women’s Organization and a traveling member of the Model United Nations team, McKenzie is kept busy as a leading face in the school. Read our interview below to hear more about her experiences and hopes for her senior year. Note that the interview has been edited for space.

KM: Can you introduce yourself to our readers?

MM: My name is Mariah McKenzie. I am a junior global media and digital studies major from Atlanta, Georgia, although for [those] Atlanta people that go to Wooster, I am from Stone Mountain. I am really into reading right now and watching TV. I read a lot, actually.

KM: What’s your favorite TV show?

MM: I mean, right now I’m watching The Big Bang Theory, and I like it. I’m a very connected watcher – once I start something, I have to finish it. I’m a binge watcher.

KM: What kinds of things do you do with BSA?

MM: We do a lot of events that provide different outlets for Black students to feel part of Wooster culture and to bring that culture to Wooster. For example, we had the Black History Month Showcase because we really don’t get to see Black American culture or Black Caribbean culture on campus, even though Wooster does have a Caribbean community. I really didn’t get to see any of [this culture] until my freshman year when I saw the Culture Show. We also do things to make students feel welcome and to give them the chance to interact, like having our back-to-school cookout in the beginning of the semester and end-of-the-year cookout in April. BSA also has the Ball, which was themed as “Midnight Radiance” this year to bring recognition to Black art, creativity and joy … We encourage everyone to come and learn and enjoy themselves even if you aren’t a member, like with the Aux Cord Wars, where there were competitions and prizes.

KM: What kind of stuff do you do in WAC?

MM: In my weekly meetings, I try to get a gauge of ‘what are people interested in?’ and try to get more people to come to meetings. We are a very small group, and I think people don’t recognize that. We are pretty much going to do what the group wants or what I want — because there are some things that I’m pushing for — but we want more input from students. We put on a variety of events at different levels, because that’s another level of diverse participation from students. People also think we are a section of Student Engagement, which is not true at all. We do plant nights, craft nights and larger events like Springfest and Party on the Green. We try to introduce different things to campus and see what works, and keep pushing for things that students will enjoy.

KM: Are there events from the past that you wish to bring back to either BSA or WAC?

MM: We did bring it back this year, but we didn’t have a Thanksgiving for BSA last year. Students could connect with each other outside of their normal groups and enjoy food, which is kind of part of having a Thanksgiving meal.

KM: What has been your favorite memory of Wooster so far?

MM: Honestly, it’s hard to say. I enjoy the feelings and experiences of being with people around me, that is something I remember more than actual experiences. I am a Posse 15 Scholar, so I spend a lot of time with them and really enjoy it. We are actually friends, and sometimes that’s a very hard thing for a group of people who are grouped together to do. I just feel really blessed to be surrounded by good people, nice people, who care about each other. We care about making memories, and that’s really sweet. 

KM: How do you have time to do all this stuff??

MM: Well, it really helps that my Mondays and Fridays are pretty open. Other than that, I just work at ARC or have a shift for Res Life. I’m also an RA, but I’ll kind of just do anything — I was looking to be more busy my freshman year because I realized that I had a lot of free time on my hands. If you aren’t [doing things on campus], it’s not totally conducive to your time. Wooster can be great, but it’s what you make it … I eventually was just like ‘let me sign up for this, and this and this.’ 

KM: What are your main goals for next year as a senior?

MM: I kind of go by the phrase ‘you’re here for a fun time, not a long time.’ Compared to how I was my freshman year, I am a lot more involved and I want people to get more involved, especially incoming freshmen. Because at the end of the day, everyone here cares about you.

Congratulations to Mariah for receiving a Dorothy Reid Dalzell award this past Thursday, April 3.