October 26, 1998 — LIONS EYE - Page 7 C.L.A.S. P. Volunteers Make a Real Difference By Regis Fields Lion's Eye Staff Writer Penn State offers many pro- grams for students to participate in by means of community service. These include the Penn State Edu- cational Partnership Program, as well as the back to school program that was headed by members of CityTeam in Chester. This semester at this campus another group of stu- dents is attempting to continue Penn State’s commitment to community involvement. The Community Leadership After-School Program (C.L.A.S.P.) is in action offering many volunteer services to children within the ages of five to 15. The program is student run at Penn State with Jenn Payson as Director and six other students who perform most of the duties for helping the children. C.L.A.S.P., for- merly the White Rock Tutoring Pro- gram, heads down to White Rock Christian Church on W. Third St. in Chester every Monday through Thursday from 4:30 to 6:00 PM where they help a group of about 35 students from various elementary schools in the area. At the church they assist stu- dents with homework, study skills, Bright smiles for bright minds — C.L.A.S.P. An Annual Event: computer skills, life skills, as well as holding variety workshops where the children can explore their per- sonal interests. The program also holds a Summer Program, in con- junction with this campus, the Rocky Run YMCA, and the White Rock Church, to provide students from K- 8t grades with a safe enriching and fun environment where they can en- joy their summertime. Payson explained it as, “...we give the students a place where they can do their homework and we can help them with problems they may have, we also do work- shops with them and field trips.” Other students who partici- pate in the program are Dominique Laroche, Jen Naseef, Lauren Voshell, Ron Phillips, and Ed Knott. So far the program has had good success in reaching its goal which is, “to provide access to tools, information, and other resources re- quired to enhance their holistic de- velopment,” as is described in its mission statement. The program will run for the duration of this semester and most likely well into the new year leading up to the summer. Volunteers are needed and any student interested in participating should contact Jenn Payson at (610) 892-1227 box 1. Photo by Jenn Payson Leadership Report Proves Popular with Students By Amy M Hurley Lion's Eye Staff Writer This fall’s leadership retreat took place on Sept. 25 and 26 at the Ramada Inn in Essington. It was the first of its kind at Penn-State Dela- ware County Campus. In the past, there have been conferences that gathered students from many differ- ent branch campuses and they have taken place in the spring. This re- treat, the brainchild of Rachel Arredondo, was exclusively for the “leaders” of this campus and its placement at the beginning of the school year was in hopes that it would prompt action and organiza- tion of this year’s activities. When asked whether she thought the retreat was a success, Arredondo replied, “I was impressed by the students. .. They were comfort- able sharing their views and I think the underlying accomplishment was a bonding and interaction between students that wouldn’t usually get together.” This fall retreat will now be an annual event. “The location, how- ever, will definitely change for next year,” Arrendondo added. She had originally hoped that this year’s re- treat would take place at the Desmond Conference Center in Great Valley, but it was booked for the week of the 25. “Since the Ramada Inn is associated with the Winter Ball and the Spring Fling, it is not be the ideal place for campus leaders to settle down to work on campus issues and plan the coming year’s events. Next year, it will defi- nitely be at the Desmond Conference Center in Great Valley.” said Arrendondo. | A warm welcome from the Black Students League. Photo by Jonna a Monigomery BSL Celebrates Tradition With “Soul Food Friday” By Regis Fields Lion's Eye Staff Writer On Oct. 9, the Black Student League (BSL) continued a tradition that has always been a constant in African-American life. Throughout generations, African-Americans have expressed a love of culture and unity by sharing common sentiment and drop dead delicious food. On the second Friday of October this cel- ebration was alive and thriving in the Main Lounge when the BSL held another “Soul Food Friday.” The cel- ebration was held at 12:30 and showed off some of the finest food one would be able to find on an oth- erwise dreary day. The participants, mainly BSL members, had spent ar- duous time organizing this function with respect to fine foods and atten- dance. “Soul Food Friday,” now in its second year, was kicked off in the 97-98 semester with good results. Then it was headed by BSL Presi- dent Katira Moore and for its inau- gural season did rather well. | “At first a lot of people came out for Soul Food Friday...but then attendance kind of dropped because I guess people got bored with it. It was also mainly black students there too,” said Moore. “We held it every month un- til around April (1998)...even a lot of High Schools came out.” High Schools such as John Bartram High in Southwest Philadelphia. This year, the president is Nasir Neal who expressed his senti- "ment as, “We are trying to get every- body together to find out about each other, not just to learn more of Afri- an-Americans.” Neal, who expressed concern for the BSL budget, wants this cel- ebration to bring all sorts of students and faculty to “Soul Food Friday” to make this one of the largest cultural celebrations this campus has seen. “We invited all the clubs and faculty...so everybody can get to know each other. Its not just for black people,” said Neal. One of the ways . that statement is true is through the entertainment. African-American students Kevin Boyce, April Best, BSL President Nasir Neal, Keith McCullers, Everett Pinder, and Olivia Myers, all performed at the celebration. Nasir read a poem entitled “Why am I Black,” which was about an African-American addressing God on why he was made black. Myers read a poem by renowned artist Maya Angelou entitled “The Black Family Pledge,” which gave meaning to the celebration as a whole. Boyce’s per- sonal piece was untitled but it offered insight into the trials of love between African-American couples. Singing, a critical part of Af- rican-American life, was done by April Best, Everett Pinder, and Keith McClullers, all before a crowd of pri- marily African-American but many other students. So if the food that closely resembles author Terry McMillan’s depiction of Sunday din- ner did not cater to a specific taste, the arts as done by the performers may have been more up someone ’S alley. Students getting to know gash other better at the Leadership Retreat. Photo by Any Hurley :
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