The Falcon   |   Volume 81, Issue 26

Published 6/02/10   |   Log In

Celebrating, learning through clubs

Focusing on culture, educating others

By MANDY WEILAND, News Writer

Published: May 21, 2008

The loud sounds of drums could be heard across campus as Africa United celebrated the third annual "Sherehe" celebration in Martin Square on Sunday. Sherehe is an opportunity for students from different African countries to share their culture with the campus.

Senior Elijah Wallace said that the most important thing about their club was that it raised awareness of African culture on campus.

"We're here to say, 'here we are,'" Wallace said.

There are several clubs that celebrate different cultures on campus, including Africa United, Celtic Society, French Club, Mosaic, Nordic Club, Ohana O Hawaii, and SALSA. While membership and interest in the clubs vary, the leaders believe that their presence is an important part of SPU. Culture clubs have increased over the past few years because the school has stepped up reconciliation efforts, ASSP President Daniel Miller said.

"Compared to the Seattle community, SPU is not as diversified," said Shalia Aina, president of the Ohana O Hawaii club.

Clubs that focus on specific cultures are a way that SPU can become more diversified and learn more about different cultures and people, Aina said.

"The best part about having a club is being able to integrate with others," Aina said. "It's nice to share our culture with other people."

The clubs give students a lot of opportunities to go out and experience the lifestyle that the culture represents, Aina said. Ohana celebrates Hawaiian culture with Hawaiian food, games, and hula dancing each year during their annual May Day celebration.

"It's a tradition celebrating the old kings and queens of Hawaii," Aina said.

Christine Stalie, president of the French Club, said that engaging the culture seems so far out, but on campus it is a safer environment to ease oneself into going out into the culture. She said that the French Club has not done much to engage the culture yet, but they are working toward that point.

French Club recently held a dinner at Entre Nous, a French restaurant in Seattle.

"It brings the students an opportunity to experience French culture and language together," Stalie said.

Stalie said that the students not only learn more about the culture, but the club is also a good way to make friends and make connections on campus. She said that one of the purposes of the club was to create more of a community for French major students because their department is so small.

Stalie said that the club is hoping to spark interest in the incoming freshman class, and they would like to see the club expand. Right now, French Club only has around 16 members.

"We are concerned because a lot of our officers are in their junior year," Stalie said.

As club leaders prepare to graduate, the uncertainty of the future for some clubs can be worrisome for them.

Wallace, along with a group of others, founded Africa United in his sophomore year, and they have continued to lead the club up until this year. However, with each of the leaders graduating, Wallace said that if not enough African students take leadership positions, the club is not going to continue.

"I honestly don't know where it could go," Wallace said.

There are about six to 10 members in Africa United right now, Wallace said.

Aina said that it was a year-to-year thing whether or not the Ohana O Hawaii club was going to continue. The club is open to all students, but it is usually just those from Hawaii who join, Aina said.

"It's hard because we are a small club," Aina said. "There needs to be an increase in people in the clubs for them to continue."

The Nordic Club's new president is a freshman this year, so the club does not see itself losing status in the next couple of years, said Leila Sharpe, associate director of alumni and parent relations and Nordic Club advisor.

"It is a grassroots thing; people invite their friends," Sharpe said.

Sharpe said that culture clubs not only are great for awareness, but also "give students another opportunity, in a small context, to make friends."

Nordic Club goes on an annual trip to the Nordic Culture Museum in Ballard, and they march in the Ballard Parade every year, Sharpe said. She said that the parade represents the day that Norway was liberated from Denmark. Sharpe has been with Nordic club since its beginning, when she and her daughter created the club in 2000.

Nordic Club used to try and pack in many events for students to attend, but the club and Sharpe soon realized that one event a quarter fit better with student schedules. Sharpe said that the club used to be all about educating about the culture, but now it includes a lot of fun as well.

"If there are cool opportunities that arise [for Nordic club], we take advantage of that," Sharpe said.

© 2008-2010 The Falcon        Contact        Advertise        SPU.edu