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LETTER FROM
THE EDITOR
TO GRADUATING
SENIORS...
Welcome to the final issue of the 2005-6 academic year!
As you all well know, the end of the year is rapidly approaching!
Although staff and faculty can tick off another year of
service, you are about to embark on a whole new chapter
of life. You will now have to navigate full-time jobs,
graduate school, and new levels of responsibility. For
the most part, even if you're not planning to work or
go back to school right away, you will find that family
and friends have new expectations for you that you may
not feel ready for. In fact, the task of living without
school may seem overwhelming, even for those of you that
have been waiting for this period of your life for years!
What should you do? Simply put, put your head down, dig
in your heels, and follow through on your plan. If you're
going to graduate school, put in the application as early
as possible (it's easier to postpone for a semester, or
cancel you admission, once you've been accepted than to
decide to go after it’s too late to apply). If you're
going to work, talk with career counselors about how you
can best use your degree (avoid becoming the type of student
who plans to go home and sleep on their parent's couch!).
Instead, plan as early as possible what your post-graduation
activities will be.
If you're an activist, and I hope that at the very least
college has helped you appreciate the importance of politics,
find ways to incorporate your politics in your future
plans. There's nothing worse than waking up years later
and discovering that you've created a work-history that
confines you to a lifestyle that you're uncomfortable
with. So, to avoid this disparaging future, be bold. Think
carefully about your plans now.
Have the confidence to live by your values. And, be clear
about what they are. This way, if things come to you that
may seem to be great opportunities, a keen sense of your
own values may help you determine what is and what is
not an opportunity.
Finally, stay in contact with your peers. Your current
social network may help you in ways you can't anticipate
yet. Current friends who may seem to lack direction (or
may completely lack the ability to handle responsibilities)
may become central to helping you in the future. In this
strange world, you never know who may become indespensible
in the future!
In essence, be fearlessness, staying in contact with
peers, and stay true to your values.
by
T. Hasan Johnson
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April 2006 Activities Calendar
April 5th, - Social Lunch, OBSA 12-1pm
Sat. 4/15 - Ujima Spring Training, OBSA,
11-3pm
Thurs. 4/20 - Roscoe’s and Surprise Fun Activity,
Meet at OBSA by 4:30pm (Carpool) RSVP by Tuesday, April
18th
Sat. 4/22 - The Pan African Festival-Walker Beach,
Pomona College,12-5pm
Sat. 4/22 - The Black Student Union of presents: FreeStyle
Battle, Edmunds Ballroom, 8pm
Sat. 4/22 -Pan African Student Association presents: "BlackOut"
(Immediately Following the FreeStyle Battle, Edmunds Ballroom,
Pomona College, 9:00 p.m.)
Tues. 4/25 - Film by Ty Hodges: Miles From Home,
Rose Hill, Pomona College, 7pm
Hodges tells the story of a young homeless teen lost innocence.
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Fellowships
& Scholarships
The OBSA website has a long list of scholarships
available for both undergraduate and graduate students,
if interested, click the scholarship link to the left or
click: http://www.cuc.claremont.edu/obsa/scholarships.html.
Also, check into Developmental Fund for
Black Students in Science and Technology Scholarships
Go to: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/dlhinson/dfb_sch.htm
Award amount: $2,000 and renewable. Several scholarships
granted. This is for science or engineering students at
HBCUs. Deadline is June 15.
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“WHAT
I'VE LEARNED…”
By
Candace Valenzuela
It is difficult to summarize my college career
at Claremont McKenna. I can say that it began
with an affection for an older friend with
a great deal of intelligence and it is about
to end with an affection for many people with
a great deal of intelligence. The middle bits
are all extraordinary and ordinary. It was
the best of times and it was the worst of
times... |
I finally learned what it was like
to experience the true racism of Academia, how disparities
in income really can separate a good student from
a great student and how white students
tend to dominate intellectually, not necessarily
because of the work they put into themselves, but
the work their parents put into them. I learned
that we must all share the blame for such disparities,
from the white dude up in Enron laundering millions
of dollars to the young black boy stealing cigarettes
from the corner store. Each of us has a choice in
life to look at our situation and try to enrich
it for the greater good, or to feed into our insecurities
and live a life that is ultimately unsatisfying.
I learned that there is truth in stereotypes and
that the truth will not always set you free, but
may sometimes make you more acutely aware of what
your prison bars are made of.
I learned that life is very much like school: You
take out of it what you put into it. Although
I may not be the best in my class at math, science,
or history, I can tell you that many of my friends
have never shopped for health insurance or have
lived in a homeless shelter. There are many different
ways to be privileged and though I am a tad bit
envious of those who had piano lessons from the
age of five, I cannot help but feel that I am so
very ahead of the game on human relationships and
how to buy a used car.
I have learned that it is through the recognition
and care for other’s disparities that we can
barter for better lives. I can trade my extensive
knowledge on poverty, alcoholism, or race relations
for help with my physics homework or learning proper
etiquette when at a fancy white speaking event (without
being chastised for my ignorance but being loved
for the other things I have to offer and my willingness
to learn). Adapting to this atmosphere was not about
the loss of identity, but the ability to develop
many new identities that could dance about the world
on many stages.
I have been the victim of violent hate crimes.
I have gambled at Monaco amongst people
with more money than I can fathom. I have looked
down at the world from one of the highest points
in the Swiss Alps. I have hugged my mother's knee
and looked up at the most beautiful woman alive.
I know the value of each of these things and I know
that no one can tell me how Black, Mexican, Caucasian,
Catholic, Protestant, female, male, good, or American
I am.
Attending Claremont McKenna College and living this
life has taught me that striving for better is never
easy, but it is also never fruitless. This school
has shown me that being anyone, anywhere comes with
untold pride and pain and it is imperative that
we live a life outside ourselves to share in the
true beauty of God's creation.
Interested
in being a student contributor on the OBSA Newsletter?
Email
Me!
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ENGLISH/SPANISH
My freedom is near
The lights are shining bright
The task is at hand I have no fear
I know my choice is right
My freedom is near
Time for me to understand
The task is at hand I have no fear
That I must walk alone without a guided hand
My freedom is near
Si me entiendo mucho ahora
The task is at hand I have no fear
Necesitó caminar sola, no tengo uno mano de guía
My freedom is near
I listen to the free music
The task is at hand I have no fear
It sounds good to my ears
My freedom is near
Escucho la música libre
The task is at hand I have no fear
Suena buena a mis orejas
--Joan Romara Steele--
TIME TO SHINE
Some people want the world’s riches, and others
desire fame.
I say give me a good book and congratulations for a well
written paper.
Some people covet mink furs, and others yearn for Louis
Vuitton leather.
I say give me my fitted cap and don’t forget the
orange gown.
Some people crave for Jimmy Choo shoes and others wish
for Manolo Blahniks.
I say give me comfortable wedge heels, the kind made for
walking across the commencement stage without tripping.
Some people fancy a Grammy and others pursue their own
Hollywood star.
I say give me a Rotary or a Watson and I’d definitely
enjoy a Fulbright.
Some people long to endorse Chanel and others aspire
to concoct their own fragrance.
I say I love the aroma of good hard work and even more
so the scent of success.
Some people hunger for their names in the newspapers
and some settle for the tabloids.
I admit I’m praying for a PhD but I’m especially
proud of my Pitzer College B.A.
Some people pine for a walk on the red carpet.
I say my journey has been towards my college graduation
day.
--Joan Romara Steele--
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TUTORING is
available in several subjects!
Chemistry: Wednesday Evenings 7-10pm
French: Wed (7-10pm), Fri (9-12pm)
Each session is held at the OBSA office. Call (909) 607-7352
for more information!
Interested in a scholarship? If so, click here...
Want to know how to take the right steps
to get to grad school,
check out this breakdown!
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139
East Seventh Street Claremont, California 91711-3916
OBSA-l@cuc.claremont.edu
(909) 607-3669 Fax (909) 621-8969
Addae
Designs! ©Copyright 2003
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