By Erica Wolfe
Incoming freshmen will gather together Friday, Sept. 22, 2006, on DT field to create the world”s longest ice cream sundae and participate in educational activities at the Multicultural Student Services” annual Freshman Friday.
Hosted by the BYU Multicultural Center, Freshman Friday is an event targeted to help incoming ethnic freshman adjust to their new surroundings and prepare them for their upcoming challenges here at BYU.
“The office staff is here to help and serve the new students,” said Sharyl Escobosa, the Freshman Friday student coordinator and political science major from Ocala, Fl. “The event will allow the students to meet other freshmen, become familiar with the office and its staff members and to learn helpful tips for surviving their first year here at BYU.”
Freshman Friday has helped numerous multicultural students adjust to their new surroundings and has shown them their own personal excellence and potential.
“I hope the new students learn the same things that I did,” said Maritza Smith, secretary at the center and exercise science major from Bountiful, Utah. “Brother Bott was the motivational speaker my freshman year. He helped bring everything I experienced together and helped me to see what a wonderful chance I had been given by coming to BYU.”
Scheduled for this Friday, Sept. 22, the event offers a variety of events that will entertain the students and teach them useful college-survival skills. Activities at the event will include giant twister, games, food, workshops, presentations from ethnic clubs and, of course, an attempt to create the world”s longest ice cream sundae. The Multicultural Student Services” office staff and volunteers have worked diligently to ensure that the activities and workshops answer frequently asked questions and teach skills that will help the students achieve success and self-reliance.
“There are many students whose customs and cultures are different from the predominant culture here in Utah Valley,” said Anthony Bates the multicultural advisor and program coordinator. “My sincere hope is that they come away with an understanding that there are people and services on this campus that are interested in them and their success.”
Previously, students” attendance at Freshman Friday has been exceptional and this year”s turnout has thrilled the event coordinators.
“We have had about 170 freshmen RSVP but other interested students are welcome to attend,” Escobosa said. “So with the volunteers, we are expecting around 200 people to attend this year”s event.”
