Ana Barraza
ConstitutionAna Barraza1-1-1-1Constitution Day More Like iPod DayASO Constitution Day Event Draws a CrowdASO Hosts Constitution Day Event
Pierce College’s Associated Students Organization celebrated United States Constitution Day, hosting the event on Mall Drive on Sept. 17.
Although the event, which was scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., got off to a late start, ASO members seemed enthusiastic and patriotic as they set up tables; covering them in American flag tablecloths and a banner that read, “Constitution Day- win a free iPod!” “We are a publicly funded school; we have a responsibility to recognize the Constitution. We do it for the spirit of our government,” said ASO Vice President Lara Kalaidjian, “especially since we have so many international students. No other country has such a powerful and symbolic constitution. It’s a symbol of our freedom.”
Chalk arrows drawn on the ground by ASO members helped lure curious eyes toward the tables which were set up in front of the Business Office, although most students really just wanted to know, “how do I get the free iPod?”
Students had to complete a ten question quiz on the Constitution (cheat-sheet included) “to see how much people know about it.” Students with perfect scores would be entered in the raffle for an iPod Shuffle.
The event was also used as a means of recruiting members to the ASO. Along with copies of the U.S. Constitution, hand puppets in the form of the Bill of Rights (squiggly eyes and all), quizzes and American flags, students could pick up applications to join the club. A couple of students took advantage of the opportunity.
“It’s their voice, a union of students. We (ASO) are the liaison between them and the faculty and other students,” said president of the ASO, Tessa Moss, supporting the fact that students are actually interested in what the ASO has to say.
Although it was “hot and slow” at times according to Moss, it was during the rush between classes when the event seemed to get the most attention. ASO members dispersed in all directions, getting students that mostly seemed eager to get home for lunch to join the event.
There was no way the crowd could miss however, Moss and Kalaidjian’s taking turns announcing at the top of their lungs, “We’re celebrating the Constitution today! Take a short quiz and win a free iPod!”The method proved to be effective as students nearby stopped to listen to the booming voices of their president and vice president. Some stopped by and others just went back to whatever it was they were doing.
At one point, there were about ten students gathered at once around the tent-covered tables, most of which were frantically trying to complete the ten questions for a chance to win that iPod. Others curiously poked their heads in trying to see what all the fuss was about.
According to the News University website, “even though federal law requires schools to teach about the Constitution and the First Amendment, a majority don’t know that Constitution Day exists.”
Although the majority of students didn’t even know there was a day dedicated to celebrating that piece of paper that states our rights as Americans, Pierce’s ASO got students involved and was able to please at least one student (besides the iPod winner).
“It was pretty fun,” said Michael Clark, a second semester student, as he sipped on his complimentary Capri Sun. “It was better than some of the other events I’ve been to.”