Matador Day 15th Anniversary

The 15th anniversary of Matador Day took place Oct. 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Student Services building patio.

Student Government Association hosted the event, which included many activities, such as body art, karaoke, and food, along with club awareness. The theme of the event was rock 'n' roll, therefore the music was being played throughout the festival.

West campus president, Robert Stio, explained what Matador really is. "Matador is actually the Valencia Mascot, most people don't know that because we don't have intermural sports on this campus," said Stio, 36, "It's been going on for 15 years, so it's a tradition they do every year and it's just for student spirit. Obviously we're raising awareness. . .We have some of our outside vendors helping us out.

During the event, Stio greeted the students. "I want to welcome everyone to Matador Day," said Stio, 36, "We have it every year, this is our 15h year, and still going strong. Check out all the different events."

The activity that students were very interested in was the karaoke. Students who performed received a DVD of their music video.

An especially crowd-drawing music act was the "ATL Butter and Biscuits," which consisted of Josh Maner, Genese Leger, Myrlande Jerome, along with siblings Myoshi McClain, and Emerson McClain. They created a music video performing to "Gossip" by musical artist Missy Elliott.

The McClain siblings created the name of their music group in order to represent their hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. Emerson McClain said he was "showing love" for where he came from. "We're just acting like fools," said Emerson McClain, 22, a music and business management student. "I'm here with my baby sister, going to school and stuff."

"It was exciting and fun," said Leger, 19, a criminal justice student, "The DVD is free and I can show my friends." Leger attended the event and performed with friend, Jerome, 19, also a criminal justice student.

Maner was a common act in karaoke. "I'm just doing my thing," said Maner, 22, "I'm showing college life and how fun it can be even when you have a lot on your hands." Maner is a culinary arts major at the school.

ATL Butter and Biscuits fellow student, Shantal James, watched the performance and said, "It was good and funny." James, 19, a nursing student, said she spent most of her time at the karaoke booth among others, stating, "It's more interesting."

Prizes were rewarded to students who participated in the events. "We've got the students involved," said Stio, "We're doing the students passport so before they can get a t-shirt and any other little gifts we have, they have to go to at least four different activities."

Rachel Miller won all the the prizes for her participation. Miller, 18, a general studies student, got her face painted for the first time and said her favorite prize was the t-shirt because it's "cute looking." She added that her favorite part was holding the parrot brought by a Tiki Island Volcano Golf representative. "It was so much fun to hold the bird," said Miller. "He gave us some free rounds of golf for his place."

Donuts with the Deans

ORLANDO, Fla. - Student Government Association gathered a meeting between the deans of the school and the students, called "Donuts with the Deans," on October 14, in building four, room 117, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Students participated by speaking with three or more deans, asking questions or addressing concerns they may have about the school, in order to receive donuts and to better acquaint themselves with the deans.

SGA president, Robert Stio, said he planned it for many reasons. "I wanted to give [students] an opportunity to get to know the deans; that they're not just there for discipline, that they're here to help, and it's a good opportunity to meet them, and especially when it comes to scholarships," said Stio, 36. "Now you know the face and the name, and ask for letters of recommendations from the deans. It's a lot of different opportunities for the students."

Tyron Johnson is the dean of the students and he said it's "less stressful" to speak with students this way. "I think it's more a situation for students, rather than me. It gives me an opportunity to get to know the students," said Johnson. "It was brought to my attention by Rob to talk with students. . .If they have questions, in terms of what we do."

A student who spoke with Johnson, Aviva Wolgel, said she would better appreciate events if they were promoted more. "I like to get involved and try to meet new people. If there's nothing going on to meet people, it's hard, unless you're in a class with them," said Wolgel, 21, "I'm new at this school, so I feel lost and I want to meet new people so I don't feel that way." Wolgel is a former Seminole State College student, now studying culinary management at Valencia. On speaking with Johnson, Wolgel added: "It was more than I was expecting."

Wolgel's fellow student, Gladimy St. Louis agrees about Johnson. "He sounds like he is going to make some things happen." St. Louis, 23, a political science major had concerns about the TV's in building four. "When I first saw the TV's in here, I actually went to talk to the SGA officers about putting one of the TV's on ESPN. They told me today the deans were going to be here, and you can come in here and voice your opinions. I have the time right now, so that's why I came."