Diverse Culture, Diverse Food

By Julie Gale

 

 

The lines were long and the tables were full as Avila hosted its annual Ethnic Food and Culutre celebration last Thursday.  Students and staff lined up in the Marian center from 11:30am-1:00pm to grab a bite to eat and to learn about the diverse cultures that are represented at Avila. 

As students made their way around the dining room, they could stop at each booth that represneted a different culture.  Students working at the booth offered their food and insight to their culture.  Ceclilia Nunez, a nursing student at Avila, was helping at the Hispanic Culture table.  “Our booth was very popular, we already ran out of food!” Ceclia laughed.  They were serving chips and homemade salsa.  When asked why it was important to have this celebration every year, Ceclia responded “It’s important to get to know about each culture’s food and customs.  I am amazed at how foods relate between different culutres. I look around and I see a connection with other cultures through similar food, that I never really thought had in common.  And College is an amazing time to be able to meet different people from all over the world, and what better way to strike up a conversation with someone else than over food?”

Avila Remembers 9/11

by Julie Gale

Today was a day of remembrance for many.  Eleven years have passed since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  But for many people the memory is still fresh in their minds as if it happened only one year ago.  There were reminders and ceremonies all over the city and country today to remind us of what happened on that calm September day all those years ago. As usual, the names of all those that lost their lives that day were read at the site where the World Trade Centers had stood.  President Obama and First Lady Michelle gathered in the South Lawn at the White House and paused for a moment of silence. United States flags were flown at half mast across today, and there were ceremonies at every police station and fire station across the country.   But despite the flag being flown at half mast on the Avila campus, it seemed to be a typical Tuesday. 

Senior Erin Pettus recalls where she was that day.  “I remember that the teachers were acting strange and they kept leaving the classroom. We were given pieces of paper that we were to give to our parents that said the students were not yet told about the attacks. My friends mom picked us up from school and we drove by a gas station. That was crazy.  There were cars lined up all the way down the street waiting to get gas.  When I was dropped off at home my mom told me not to watch TV until she got home. My friend had told me two planes had crashed into the World Trade Centers. But I didn’t know what that was, so I didn’t understand what that meant.  When my mom got home she explained what had happened to my brother, sister, and me.” 

Maggie Thomason is a second year nursing student.  She was only in fifth grade when the attacks occurred, but she has thought about how the attacks have impacted her.  “As a nursing student I can’t imagine what it would have been like to be in New York or D.C. that day.  The hospitals would have been overwhelming and I would’ve been scared to be a nurse there that day.  I have a lot of respect for the nurses, firefighters, and all the first responders that helped the victims that day.”

September 11 is a date that Americans growing up in this day and age will always be remembered.  But our feelings as the years go will change.  The hate and anger will gradually fade and the sadness may eventually begin to fade as well.  “Now that I am older I understand everything more.  My feelings aren’t as full of anger now that I’ve had time to think about it for eleven years.  I just have sorrow for the victims and their families. This is a date that I will always remember and keep in my heart” says senior Katherine Noland. 

Students See Familiar Faces at AU Kickoff

Pictured Left: Curtis Dunlap, Sophomore Cross Country runner catches up with friend and teammate, Katie Noland, Senior Cross Country runner and second year nursing student.

The weather was perfect for the Mass, Student Organization Fair, and for the free picnic.  The atmosphere on campus was exciting.  The Quad was buzzing with the sound of new friends being made, and old friends bumping in to each other.  You could tell that Students were excitied to be back on campus.  “I’m excited to get this school year started.  It’s my final year and I am happy to be getting closer to graduation.  I will be sad to leave Avila though.  It’s bittersweet.”  

Student Nurses Give Back to Avila and Community

Avila’s Student Nurses Organization, or ASNO as nursing students refer to it, is an organization exclusive to nursing students or to underclassmen who express an interest in the nursing program. Most nursing students do join ASNO because it is not only very beneficial to help further their education, but also a great way to enhance a resume.  ASNO is a great way for underclassmen to gain an understanding of the field of nursing.  And ASNO is a way for current nursing students to become involved professionally in the field of nursing.  Participation in ASNO gives students the opportunity to network with other nursing students and also with faculty from the nursing department.  ASNO’s President, Liz Winke, is a second year nursing student.  Winke helps organize lectures and workshops for students to “keep up to date on trends in nursing, stay informed on government legislation, and to connect to the community.” Winke also helps coordinate service projects for the students.  This is a way for the nurses to get involved with the community.  These volunteer projects present the opportunity for nursing students to implement what they learn in clinicals. Senior nursing student Erin Pettus said she is excited for this coming year.  “ASNO seems to have more events planned for us this year. I’m really looking forward to everything they have set up for us.”

ASNO is hosting a bone marrow drive on September 26 at the Marian Center.  The drive runs from 11:30am-6:30pm.  Winke encourages all students to attend. “All you have to do is show up, and we register you in the bone marrow registry. It’s a great way to give back to your community and to help Avila’s nursing students gain some practice and experience.”