Student Activities Supports NVCC Student Clubs for Dynamic On-Campus Events and Provides an Array of Events and Trips of Their Own - Bringing Our Community HOME.

by Karen Blake and Paula Massey,

We’re back! How sweet it was to start a new semester with so many students walking the halls of our wonderful campus! We started the semester off by welcoming new and transfer students with an in-person orientation featuring campus resources and tours to our incoming students. It was a great collaboration between departments and our students were very pleased to find out what resources are available to give them the best chance at a successful journey during their time at NVCC.

We started the semester featuring a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream truck. Students enjoyed this event right down to the last sprinkle. To work off the ice cream, our new Fit-n-Fun Club started students moving on Tuesdays with volleyball in front of Founders Hall. During September, we tested their knowledge during our annual Constitution Trivia event and for our evening students, we held multiple trivia nights, giving students the opportunity to win Amazon gift cards.

Our first bus trip of the semester sent students to Bronx Zoo, the beginning of many trips we offered this semester. During September, we co-sponsored with the NEM Club, the fall festival featured our hospitality students grilling up a “picnic” feast. The Fit-n-Fun club hosted games that included potato sack race, three-legged race and more. There was also plenty dancing and fun had by all.

October started off with a Broadway play to New York City to see “Come from Away,” exposing students to cultural experiences they may not have otherwise had the opportunity to enjoy. An added bonus was the fact that this trip was originally scheduled for the spring 2020 semester. The pandemic postponed us, but it did not cancel us!

As we kicked off October, we continued to host our annual Club Expo with theme being “Lights, Camera, Club Expo”. Student clubs showcased their talents, provided interactive tables, and students were able to sign up to become a member of over 25 clubs Student Activities has to offer. As the month continued, a bus trip was offered for the students that were brave enough to go, to the Trail of Terror in Wallingford. Students had a scary good time. In a joint effort, the Nursing Club and the Pride Alliance welcomed Dr. Lin to the Mainstage to talk about health and disparities within the LTBQ+ community. Hispanic Heritage month was celebrated with a poet, domino tournament, food & dancing hosted by the Hispanic Student Union. Our music students hosted a coffee house as well as their musical revue for the community and campus to enjoy. Student Activities purchased ingredients, purchased waffle makers for our annual “Waffles for Success” hosted by the Academic Center for Excellence. Over 400 students were served delicious waffles! Look for more on these events in this edition of TAMARACK News Magazine.

As the month of October campus to a close, with students in the “spooky spirit,” we showed the original movie of The Addams Family. The following day, our Halloween Party really amped up the Halloween mood with a costume contest in which many students participated. Many sweet treats and tacos from Tino’s were enjoyed by all.

During the month of November, mental health was the focus during our yearly Fresh Check Day. Students were able to enjoy the many interactive tables, gather information and walk away with tools to help them deal with mental health issues that may arise in their lives. The Nursing Club partnered with the

Red Cross to host a community event as they hosted a blood drive. Before the holiday, we offered a Thanksgiving Trivia, giving students another chance to win Amazon gift cards. The STEM Club, working with community partners, held their annual event in which they offered exposure to the community and students regarding STEM careers. For our Veterans, the Veteran’s Affairs, Veteran’s Club and Student Activities held a ceremony in the Leever Atrium to honor those who have served our country. Student Activities thanks veterans for their service!

To round out the month of November, the theater students kept us entertained by performing the play, Everybody, the Hispanic Student Union Club held their annual bread event, and the Art Club helped students learn how to draw by hosting a couple of “How To” draw events.

For the month of December, we held our holiday fun week which included Holiday Bingo & hot chocolate/donuts for students. We also traveled to New York City to Rockefeller Center to let students spend the day in NYC and “do their own thing.” The Ping Pong club held a successful ping pong tournament in which students were able to show off their skills. To wrap up the semester, we held our “Holiday Party” to celebrate the holiday season!

Many clubs have hosted a variety of fundraisers including bake sales, smoothie sales, plant sales, and even ornament sales with many of the proceeds fundraised going to numerous organizations, including our own Food Pantry.

From the Office of Student Activities & Student Government, we thank each student for their participation in events this semester. We look forward to a fun filled and educational 2023! Make sure you check out the weekly newsletter