Pejman Mokhtari
Here comes that time of year when every student walks down the mall and sees all those tables, chairs, signs and the free food students can have after signing up for a club. Club Rush Week is the one week of the year where students have the opportunity to join a group people with a common interest whether it is religion or saddles. During Welcome Week, the ASO, Associated Student’s Organization, have Welcome Day, which is a chance for “Fun…entertainment…consolidation of all clubs…introduce the building” and for the students to “bring their voice out,” said Christian Marfil-Amatulli, 26, ASO President. Welcome Day is away to introduce all the clubs and the ASO to all the students and for some fun and laughs. Welcome Day is a FREE event hosted by the ASO with fashion shows, performances, lots of freee giveaways and, of course, nothing says a party like free food. Shani Simms, 22, Social Cultural Chair, says for Welcome Day, “Students can get information on clubs and ASO…register to vote.” “The fasion show will be presenting the designs of C28.com,”says Simms and “There will be a performance by rap duo Ekklesia.” Fashion, music and prizes come together for Welcome Day to show a great time to anyone who wishes to attend. There will also be “student performances” and “walk-in performances are acceptable with approval,” says Simms. Anyone with courage and talent who does not like sitting and watching others get the spotlight can show the audience what they have to offer. “Students who attend Welcome Week are able to sign up for ASO and get transcript recognition,” says Amatulli. Many students who plan on transferring to university and joining clubs can better their transcript. “Major universities require some kind of involvment on campus, which is volunteering or joing a club,” said Kat Souto, 20, ASO Vice-President. Getting the opportunity to join ASO involves student’s in politics and they will be able to “go to Washington and lobby students’ needs,” says Amatulli. For example, Amatulli says, “The ASO and students were able to pressure the district to adopt bus passes to students for $15 a semester starting Spring ’09 due to gas prices and construction on all 9 campus’ of LACCD.” Many students are not even acknowledged about Welcome Week and when asking Jessica Bernal, 19, 2 year student, about Welcome Week, her responce was, “What’s that?” and when explaining Welcome Week to her she replied, “If I knew about it, I would join it.” “I don’t want to be at school more than I need to be,” said Amelia Azari, “I rather sleep in than attend Welcome Day.” Students are not informed as much about Welcome Week as they should be and event that happens on Welcome Day. Just because it happens at school does not mean its as painful as the classes student’s take to transfer. Theres clubs to join, fashion shows to watch, rappers to listen to, prizes to win, and if all else fails it never hurts to “drop in for some free food, thats right, I said free,” says Simms.