De-stressing
OTTER FACT: River Otters have webbed feet.
Good morning Otters!
We are officially one day away from the Cultural Gala, happening this Tuesday, May 30th! Don’t miss it, RSVP here.
As finals for the spring quarter approach, and for some graduation, this could be a really stressful time. This week’s updates hold events and various resources to de-stress, including the Cultural Gala.
Have a great rest of your week!
Student Section: Short Story by Ashwak Samatar
Original: Written for Language Arts, 1/23/2019
I stood before the throne, a guard at each side of me. The blades of their swords digging into my back, and drawing blood at my neck.
It didn’t matter though. My eyes were on the man before me.
The king.
I took a deep breath to still my nerves before speaking, “W-why am I here?”
The sword at my throat dug deeper and I remembered to add a “your majesty”. The word tasted foreign on my tongue, and only succeeded in making me even more confused as to what the hell is happening?
I was standing before a great man in a great room. As in a kind of room with freaking pillars supporting the structure, a great expanse of marble floor to fit the humongous room, windows in the back looking over the entire city, and what could only be described as elevated floor leading to…you guessed it, the throne. Thrones, I should say. There were three of them. All of theme white and encrusted with jewels at the top, with gold lining. The center throne was the biggest out of the three, and the other two were equal in height. The center throne was also the only one with an inhibitor. The king sat with a ridiculously tall crown, and long robes. All white, all glammed up. All crazy extra. I suppose it was to make up for his short and pudgy figure – a very anticlimactic figure.
So here I was. In front of a king in this uselessly giant throne room. With a bunch of big men holding sword to my throat.
And I didn’t even know who I was.
I woke up with the guards around me like that. Not knowing my name, or my age, or even how I looked like. Besides the basic knowledge and the knowing of the kingdom, I knew one thing.
I didn’t belong here. Not in this era. Not in this room. Not with these people. Not in this situation.
I was snapped to reality when the guard to my left suddenly pushed me forward with the blunt of his sword. The king was speaking.
“…. which is why you are to be put to death.”
I processed and reprocessed his words until they hit me with their force.
“W-wha-?”
He held up his hand in a motion to stop me.
“Interrupt me one more one time, and I promise you, I will kill you right on the spot.”
I looked up at him fearfully.
“And I wasn’t done yet.” He added. “Because if you don’t do what I just told you to, your family will also be killed right in front of you before you die.”
My heart skipped a beat. I didn’t know who my family was, but I obviously cared for them. And I would do anything so that they remained safe.
Including murder.
Problem was, I didn’t know what I was supposed to do to save my family. And I couldn’t speak to let the king know because I was too afraid to breath, much less talk – for fear of death.
And the death of a family I didn’t know of.
Note: I wanted to share some of the creative pieces I wrote in 8th grade. Hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did!
This week:
Cultural Gala
Student Survey
Weekly Meeting
All SSC students are invited to our weekly USA meetings, every Tuesday from 1:00 - 2:30 pm. Discuss your concerns as a student and get involved in student leadership. Meet us in JMB 128, the conference room inside the student life building!
Meditation
Environmental Activism Group
Want to get involved in community building, work towards environmental change, and have opportunities to earn volunteer hours? Join the Environmental Activism Group! Zoe, our sustainability officer, will be hosting every Thursday from 2:00 - 3:00pm in JMB Student Life 128. See you there!
Sign up link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdHyeY6a6Utmj2xNma0y39ePy4Ujr4S-AO0aoTXYp_6spp4Ww/viewform
Interested in starting a student club?
Student organizations are a big part of building communities on campus. USA is focused on getting student clubs off the ground this year, after the loss of them due to COVID.
First, let’s clarify what a student organization is, it’s a group of students that come together to meet, hold events, and support other students. Student clubs can be created over majors, advocacy, culture, hobbies, special interests, and more. There are many benefits to being a part of a club, and each club will have different benefits depending on its focus.
The problem USA is facing right now is we are lacking enough student leader interest in starting a club. So, if you are interested in becoming a student leader and starting a club do not hesitate! I know students already have a hefty load to carry with school, work, life, and more so USA is here to help you get the club started and running smoothly. This is an opportunity you can put on your resume to show leadership skills and to network with your peers.
If you are interested in starting a club please email ashwak.samatar@seattlecolleges.edu.
WSA Student Advocacy Sign-Up Form
The Washington Student Association is the official, nonpartisan, statewide representation for students in higher education. As the largest student-run, student-led organization in the state, their mission is to make higher education accessible and affordable for everyone in Washington.
This Winter, the WSA is working to pass several bills whose goal is to address the impact of increasing cost-of-living expenses, and lack of basic needs resources. These include initiatives around affordable housing, food insecurity, campus mental health resources, childcare, financial aid, and more! The only way these bills will succeed is through direct advocacy efforts by current students. By sharing your story and your experience as a college student, legislators can be convinced to pass legislation that will benefit hundreds of thousands of students.
Use this form to sign up to be a part of these historic efforts! By filling out this form, the WSA will know to contact you with opportunities to testify during the 2023 legislative session, as well as future chances to get involved.
Student Advocacy Interest Form
Check out WSA’s website at www.wastudents.org to find out more about the bills they are working on this Winter, as well as more about their organization and history of advocacy. If you have any questions, please email the WSA Organizing Manager, Molly Walker at molly@wastudents.org.
Come down to the Food Pantry!
The food pantry is open to everyone, come down for snacks/groceries and toiletries.
Resources:
On-Campus Operations Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Phone/Voicemail: 206-934-5387
Counseling: If you are currently experiencing a crisis situation, please call 988, 911 or contact CRISIS CONNECTIONS: 1-866-427-4747 (24-HR Crisis Line)! Requests for consultation and/or non-emergency educational and personal counseling appointments should be sent to southcounseling@seattlecolleges.edu.
Hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays 11 am - 2 pm.
LOCATION: Jerry Brockey Student Center Office of Student Life, room 134 (same building as Bookstore but at the south end).
If you are in urgent need to access the pantry, please visit the Office of Student Life in JMB 125 or email Monica.Lundberg@seattlecolleges.edu to schedule an appointment.
Hours: 5:30 A.M. - 10 P.M (Monday through Friday)
Location: Robert Smith Building (RSB 50)
Primary Phone: 206-235-0911
Secondary Phone: 206-934-0911.
Additional:
If you want more information on the newsletter, or have any requests/suggestions, you can reach me at ashwak.samatar@seattlecolleges.edu.