By: Brenna Ralston
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) — More than 50 students gathered on the University of Arkansas campus last Friday to celebrate Junto Day, a student-led event aimed at building bridges through conversation, leadership, and public service.
Held on Good Friday, the event featured open forums, student panels, and a high-energy debate between students of differing political views. The event’s organizers say the goal was to inspire honest dialogue and empower young voices to lead.
“I put my heart into creating Junto Day because I wanted to lift the brightest minds at our university and show what’s possible when we come together,” said Steldon Posey. “Too often, folks feel our nation is fractured, but I’ve always believed we’re more united than we seem.”
Attendees were treated to pizza, snacks, and a professional sound system set up by a local technician. Despite the holiday, the turnout was strong.
“I think we had a fantastic turnout for it being Good Friday,” Posey said. “We had around 50–60 people show up, and we had a great sound guy who was able to provide us with microphones and a stereo system—exactly the kind of professionalism we were aiming for.”
A highlight of the event was a debate between Dino Fantegrossi and Austin Keefe, president of the UARK Debate Club and a nationally ranked competitor.
“I don’t have any formal debate training personally, so it was quite the challenge, but that’s exactly what I wanted,” Fantegrossi said. “Iron sharpens iron. The only way you can grow as a person is to put yourself well outside your comfort zone and face hardship with humility and perseverance.”
Fantegrossi has already extended an invitation for a second round to Keefe.
Posey, who will attend the UALR Bowen School of Law and UA Clinton School of Public Service this fall, said the experience solidified a lifelong mission of bringing people together.
“Junto Day was my way of fostering a space where new voices could rise,” he said. “Helping make that happen is one of my proudest moments.”