Valley kicks off the new semester with Welcome Day

Clubs recruit new members and Valley College’s resource services provide information to students returning for the spring.

By Mickie Shaw, Multimedia Editor

The Valley Star/Mickie Shaw

Valley College kicked off the new spring semester with Welcome Day at Monarch Square-the event promoted school clubs and resource services.

The fair, coordinated by the Office of Student Life, introduced students to the various clubs and some of the school resource services Valley offers.

Valley Student Engagement Coordinator Raquel Sanchez said, “We find that a lot of these students on campus don’t know we have these clubs and organizations they can join. This is the time for the clubs to promote themselves and pick up new members, to create a community.”

The Welcome Day included several clubs, like MEChA, Veterans, Mathematical Monarchs, French, Hillel 818 and the Young Democratic Socialists of America. Each had their members giving out information about their groups.

Mathematical Monarchs’ Benjamin Bonilla manned his table in the bright sun while speaking to interested students.

“We explore and practice all levels of math,” said Bonilla. On March 20, club members will be participating in a national math competition.

EOPS, financial aid, health services, the library and the Career/Transfer Office were several of the school resource services giving out information and advice.

Giselle Preciado, a 21-year-old math major stood at the financial aid table picking up fliers.

“A lot of people from this college help you to achieve your goals,” said Preciado.

The LAVC Helping Hands Food Pantry was also at the fair. The pantry gives out food to students and the local community, additionally students are offered financial aid for books if they are homeless or have housing insecurities.

“It’s difficult getting students to come out. They don’t like to come forward,” said Michael Jaramillo a 23-year-old child development major and organization member.

The Dream Catchers club was formed by undocumented students unafraid of admitting their legal status. The organization collaborates with the Dream Research Center on campus. Members are assisted with filling out Dream Act and DACA paperwork and meet with a counselor twice a semester.

Dream Catcher member and undocumented student Nadia Marin, a 22-year-old Chicano studies and sociology major said, “I have a sense of community being with the center. You are not alone.”

For a full list of clubs and Valley resource services, go to the school website and look under student services.