Monday, May 16, 2022
Dani Jackson '22 wins 107.7 The Bronc's Cruisin' From Commencement contest
by Rachel Stengel '14, '20
The sound of a Toyota engine signaled that graduating ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø senior Dani Jackson won ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø's seventh annual Cruisin' From Commencement contest, organized by the University's student-run radio station, 107.7 The Bronc WRRC-FM.
Her grand prize included a two-year lease on a new 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross L and ToyotaCare, a vehicle maintenance and roadside assistance plan, for two years courtesy of Team Toyota of Princeton. All 10 finalists won a catered graduation party by Killarney’s Publick House and received two tickets to Harry Potter: The Exhibition at the Franklin Institute.
The contest challenges graduating students to submit a video about their ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø experience. In her winning video, Jackson shares her struggles with anxiety and depression. She says she was worried about fitting in at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø and afraid that she wouldn't find her place in college.
"I was gravely mistaken. I didn't find my people. I found my family," she says. "At ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø, I was able to be myself, which allowed me to thrive in ways I never thought possible."
She credits the many mentors she has met through her involvement with ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø's Multicultural Student Leadership Institute and the Department of Communication, Journalism and Media for supporting her during her four years at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø. Jackson was heavily involved with ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø's Tapestry initiative, which engages students in unique media learning and teaching opportunities that foster reflection of the cultural and life experiences of underrepresented populations. She helped plan its inaugural event, an interview with Dr. Loretta Long, Susan from Sesame Street, as well as subsequent events with Essence magazine editor-in-chief emeritus Susan L. Taylor, activist, scholar and writer Angela Y. Davis, and radio personality and music journalist Angie Martinez. Jackson had the opportunity to interact with these influential guests and interviewed Taylor in front of a live audience.
A history and film and television double major, she served as a production assistant on two films and participated in ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø's Semester in LA program. She was the advertising manager for the student newspaper, The ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø News, and co-founded ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø's first women's club basketball team.
Most recently, she premiered a documentary series she created, A Two-Front War, which chronicles the stories of Black World War I and II veterans who fought for their country abroad and for their own civil rights at home. She started the documentary after earning a $5,000 Undergraduate Research Scholar Award and went on to raise an additional $13,000 through Kickstarter.
"ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø...you've transformed me into an emboldened, emphatic leader because of your unwavering support and opportunities given to me by the beautiful people who populate your walkways," she says. "Thank you for challenging me. Thank you for showing me love and allowing me to learn to love myself."
The winner was determined by a panel of judges who narrowed down the entries to 10 finalists. At the grand finale event, held on May 14, the finalists were given keys to test in the car. Jackson’s key was the only one to start the car. 107.7 The Bronc WRRC-FM is the only college radio station in America to give away a car. This year had a record number of entries with 24 from graduating undergraduate and graduate students.
"Cruisin' From Commencement is a special way for our graduates to reflect on their ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø experience," says John Mozes, general manager for 107.7 The Bronc. "Each year, we're proud to create a memorable moment for one graduate who not only leaves ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø with a degree but a brand-new car."
Team Toyota of Princeton, who has sponsored the contest since its inception, is proud to continue its partnership with 107.7 The Bronc, says Doug Zenzel, director of marketing for Team Toyota of Princeton.
"At Team Toyota, we are once again proud to partner with 107.7 The Bronc, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø and the Cruisin’ From Commencement giveaway," he says. "Congratulations to all of the contestants and graduates, but especially to Dani Jackson, who’s entry exemplified the experience of a ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø student. We are thrilled to present her with a 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross and hope that she is part of the Team for many years to come!"