Halloween Time at Club Row
It is the time of the year where people find costumes to wear to go out trick-or-treating on the dark spooky night known as Halloween. For Santa Monica College, the occasion fit right into their Halloween edition of Club Row, which took place at the school's main campus on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.
Clubs at SMC participated at the event to try to gain new members. The event included both, clubs that have been around for a long time, and new clubs that are on the rise.
About half of the students on campus were in costume to display their Halloween spirit. Edgar Gonzalez, the A.S. Vice President himself, dressed up as Po from the former children television show, Teletubbies.
Melissa Akkaya, the Vice-Chairman of the ICC Board, commented on what it took to put the whole event together. "I have been working on this for about two months," Akkaya said. "So we could basically separate this into two different parts in my side as an A.S. Director and an ICC Officer."
For those interested in science, Chemistry Club generated a lot of attention. At the club's table, the group performed a few chemical lab experiments for students to enjoy. Chemistry Club President Tarik Meziab, gives a breakdown on how his club functions. "We're a club that really likes to include anybody who is just vaguely interested in chemistry," Meziab said. "We do a lot of outreach too...so that's what we're really focused on. Including everybody, even if they don't go here."
Culture clubs also had a notable presence at Club Row, including the Pan-African Student Union. At this table, this club performed African drum rituals that stands as a lifelong tradition in honor of their ancestors. Twenty-six year-old David Kapanga, the president of the club, gave his insights on what his club means to the him and it's members. "We try to get together all of the African students, and try to discuss about issues that regard Africans, African-Americans, and Caribbeans," Kapanga said. "We share our cultures and everything about our Pan-African heritage."
Kapanga also stated how students that came to SMC from across the sea would feel homesick at first, but would then feel connected to others who are also from Africa and share their experiences. "When you have all of the things, it isn't to recruit members because they find themselves," Kapanga said. "And also to make them remind them about their home, what they don't have here, and they find it in the club."
A.S. Vice President, Edgar Gonzalez, gave his feedback on the overall Club Row experience. "It was definitely fun this year," Gonzalez said. "We had more clubs, more students, and I like to see students getting involved, having fun, and enjoy the college experience."