Padre Press
Campus foreign language clubs invite new membersFriday, September 02, 2011 By Laura Torres
Looking for a way to meet new people or learn about foreign cultures while having fun? Marcos has several clubs that students can get involved with and do just that. All three foreign languages have their own clubs and members don’t have to speak the language or even be taking a foreign language class to be involved. As they have in the past, the Spanish, French and German clubs are going to be starting off with a kickball tournament. “This year we are aiming to keep our title as kickball champions,” said French Club member, junior Lidia Diaz. Although last year the French Club had only 12 players, they took the victory from the other teams, most notably the Spanish Club, whose members won the last two. For French Club President senior Adriana Valenzuela this will be her second year as a member of French Club and as a kickball player. “The teachers are our referees, they plan everything, we will set the date, then see who is playing who, then we will play,” she said. The games will take place in October on the soccer fields. Last year, students wore their club’s shirts and painted on their faces the countries’ flags. This year, just as last year, a large number of people are expected to come out to play, and old members are excited to see how new club members get involved. “I am hoping to double it since a lot of people seem really enthusiastic in our club this year! I’m so excited,” said Valenzuela. Although it is not required to speak the language to be in the clubs, the majority of students are already in their third or fourth year of learning the language. The common goals for all three of the clubs are to provide fun and enriching activities and to expose students to more of the new foreign cultures, but which language is the right to pick? “I would rather be in Spanish Club because I already took Spanish 1-2 in eighth grade and 3-4 last year so I can understand a bit,” said sophomore Carolina Loera. Among the activities that the German Club has planned for this year are the annual kickball competition and a trip to a German restaurant. Members will also have the opportunity to be involved in the bonfire selling bratwurst and sauerkraut. The money will be used on an Octoberfest celebration. In November, members will have the opportunity to participate in the Tour de France. Bikes, among other vehicles, will be in the race, which will take place in the stadium track. The German Club promotes itself as an open environment according to German teacher Luan Walker club members enjoy being part of what they see as a German-loving family. Another club that emulates this loving-family club style is the Spanish Club. Along with kickball games, the Spanish Club will welcome new members with Spanish movie nights and some other fun activities. It is a club design for students who are wishing to be involved with the Hispanic cultures. For others, being a part of French Club might be more interesting. Even though similar activities are run throughout the year, the first meeting, which was on August 18 th , was full of new students excited to be part of a team and to get this year started. Besides the International movie Friday, which is held one Friday each month in the auditorium and the kickball tournament, the French Club has trips planned to see Disney on Ice and Cirque Du Soleil. “People like that we always try to incorporate some of the French culture on the activities that we do, like French food,” said Diaz. All three clubs have regular lunch meetings and everyone is welcome to attend. |