Queensborough Club Fair Draws Hundreds of Students
“It feels awesome here!” exclaimed Bela Lo-Destro, a first semester student majoring in music. “I’ve already made lots of friends and the environment is great.” When asked if she would be visiting the different club tables, she laughed, “I only have two minutes to grab a snow cone before my convocation class.” (Convocation is a mandatory class taken in tandem with Individual Study in Music Performance.)
Mahira Bryant, a voice major, stood in the snow cone line with Bela. Mahira said, “I love the scenery here and want to look around to see what interests me.”
The scenery was picture perfect. Students and members of the faculty and staff meandered through the Quad stopping at club tables decorated with colorful balloons. Flags of the Caribbean fluttered in the breeze at the Caribbean Student Union table. The Ally LGBTQ Club table featured brochures “Coming Out for Safe Spaces,” “Ask Me About My Pronouns” and “GLAAD” (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation). A stuffed tiger cub sat atop a table in a tiny blue t-shirt with lettering that read, “Tutoring ROCKS!”
Emily Diana, who graduated from Queensborough last spring with an A.S. (associate in science) in Business Administration, returned this fall to major in architecture. “My entire family works in construction so I’m curious to see if I like it.”
Emily, who worked at the Male Resource Center (MRC) table, said there is a lot of interest in getting involved. “It’s super low commitment which helps students feel comfortable to try something new.” She also writes the MRC bi-weekly newsletter and mentors STEM students. Emily commented that, “What’s great about MALES is the variety of one-on-one support students can take advantage of like academic tutoring, counseling, resume building and just someone to lean on.”
Over by the Student Affairs Welcome Table students were playing video games while dozens of students gathered in the Science Atrium to chat and eat lunch.
Manuel Puma, a psychology major in his second year, was eager to help students get information about the CUNY Coalition for Students with Disabilities. At his side was his two-year-old seeing eye dog, Ali. “She gets a lot of attention as the mascot for the Club Fair,” he smiled.
Over by the hotdog/hamburger line was Ismail Toure, a film studies student who gave Queensborough a thumbs up. “It’s been a good first week.”
Melvin Castelanplacido, a second semester criminal justice major staffed the Black Student Union table. “My girlfriend inspired me to get involved because of her bi-racial struggles.”
Toward the end of Club Hours, the quad slowly emptied as students headed back to class carrying balloons, brochures, water bottles and the last of the snow cones.
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