SPAR improves student life - (7/6)
by Irasema Romero, Reporter
The Student Programs and Resources Office is dedicated to working with student clubs and organizing activities that will increase student participation. SPAR’s mission is to coordinate events designed to encourage the development of leadership skills and individual growth.
According to Program Specialist, Carisa Wilson-Bustillos, students involved with clubs and SPAR can make good friendships and find common ground between each other.
“The main purpose is for students to learn more about the community and have exposure to what is out there,” Bustillos said.
This summer, 12 students were treated to “Dinner and a Show” in downtown Dallas. The day consisted of riding the McKinney Trolley at City Place Station, which took them to the Dallas Museum of Art for a self-tour of the feature exhibit, Louis Comfort Tiffany: Artist for the Ages.
After the DMA, the students were given $15 to have dinner at the Hard Rock Café, where they got to know each other better.
For Homer Valadez, SPAR has provided a great network of people. “I’ve made lifelong friends by volunteering with them in SPAR event, ” he said.
Once dinner was over, two school vans headed to Music Hall in Fair Park for the show “Bombay Dreams”, a musical about an aspiring actor in Bollywood.
“I liked all the different places we went to because I had never been to the Hard Rock Café nor to a musical,” said Cristina Sanchez, former Communications club Vice President. “So it was good to experience something new.”
Last month, SPAR hosted the Ice Cream Social, which included free ice cream for the students.
Angela Swann, a visiting junior from Texas A&M-Commerce University, believes that the social was a good way to get people to socialize.
“I would tell incoming freshman to definitely get involved with SPAR because they truly are a great program and make it fun to be a college student,” said Sanchez. “Everything they offer is free to students and is always fun.”
The next event planned by SPAR will be a “Picnic in the Pit” on July 20. |
