Mexican students rehearse for Cinco de Mayo

Students from Escuela Normal De Atlacomulco rehearse for a Cinco de Mayo celebration. (Photo: Adriana Monroy Rodríguez)

By Russell Lindquist

Russell Lindquist

GROSSMONT COLLEGE — Virginia Berger, one of Grossmont’s instructors of English as a Second Language (ESL), has helped Grossmont to coordinate dozens of exchange students from Mexico’s Northwestern city of Atlacomulco for a three-month English-immersion program, here in San Diego, the conclusion of which will graduate the students as instructors of ESL in their native country.

“[This exchange program] has been taking place since 2001. The students who will perform are going to become ESL Teachers in México, in middle schools,” said Professor Adriana Monroy Rodríguez. She and Professor Elizabeth Martinez are instructors of ESL in Mexico; both are also academic assistants to the Vice President of Escuela Normal De Atlacomulco, from which the students hail as well.

The exchange students rehearsed under the direction of Professors Martinez and Rodríguez for tomorrow’s folk dancing to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

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Lindquist is Managing Editor of the GC Summit; email him at russL@gcsummit.com

Grossmont has clubs that do WHAT?

By Masada Ellis

Masada Ellis

GROSSMONT COLLEGE, Sept. 15– On campus with extra time on your hands, new to campus, don’t know anyone? Solution: look into the student clubs on campus. As of last year there were over 30 of them, ranging in interests from Orthopedic Technology to Fencing and beyond. Each club has its own distinct unique, quality, and feel.

New clubs are formed every year as student interests and population change. Recently, the various clubs set up information booths on the Main Quad, and there was much to be learned.  For example, how many people are aware that the Orthopedic Technology club has been ranked number one in the nation in training and employment? The club offers a one-year program beginning in August of each year teaching such skills as how to apply casts, splints, braces and so on. It is taught by working orthopedists who provide firsthand input on working in the field.

Another club is the Fencing Club, which also styles itself the “Society for Creative Anachronism.”  Members like to re-create the fun parts of the Middle Ages by wearing fancy costumes, engaging in archery contests, fighting with swords and shields , dancing, flirting, singing, cooking, and more.

The group is part of a world-wide non-profit movement that re-creates life in Europe and Asia before 1600.  Beverly Patrick, president of the Fencing Club for three semesters, says the club has no pre-requisites to join.  It’s slogan is  “because real friends stab you in the front.”