The Associated Student Government of Oxnard College organized the school’s first weeklong event for the purpose of honoring both those lost in 9/11 and the troops who served during the middle eastern wars.
On Monday morning, OC began their day with a moment of silence. But instead of ending there, the ASG went further by adding celebration.
On the week of Sept. 12 (Monday through Thursday), the ASG welcomed all students to join in on the fun. Activities were held near OC’s Campus amphitheater including patriotic face paintings, messages for the military written on Memory Tiles and giveaways.
For the Troops, an organization that delivers care packages to soldiers, was also present to accept any donations OC students gave. From Remembrance Week, FtT gained a surplus of food. Donations came from both students and the Ventura County Food Bank.
President Richard Duran gave a speech to open the first day while OC’s Social Science faculty member Dr. Carolyn Dorrance gave a speech to close. Aside from Dorrance, any student who wished to speak on that day was also welcomed.
Michelle Nolan, 26, was one student who spoke after the moment of silence, emotionally related her story of where she was during the attack.
“I was a 17-year-old girl just joining the military,” said Nolan over the phone. “And then, boom—the World Trade Center was attacked.”
The first Remembrance Week turned out somewhat successful.
The ASG, which has grown in recent years, took on the responsibility of organizing Remembrance Week. While planning out the events that would take place for the school year, the idea emerged to commemorate 9/11 for the whole week.
By doing this, ASG hopes to attain a greater sense of student pride. ASG felt that having a week when students can come together and show their support for a common cause would be beneficial to the spirit of the student body.
“It was a bonding experience,” said Vice President Elizabeth Rangel. “Especially with our new people.”
Despite the remote location, the ASG anticipated a good turnout. This did not happen, unfortunately.
The ASG only had a month and a half to plan and schedule the events and between learning to work with each other and hustling to pull together the activities, they certainly had their hands full.
“Don’t judge those who try and fail,” said Senator Richard Bejar. “Judge those who fail to try.”
They were able to get support for the event, however. In order to create the Memory Tiles, the ASG worked with one of the arts classes at OC.
Ventura College heard of OC’s Memory Tiles and is also considering adopting the idea for its own Constitution Day events.
On September 11, Moorpark College President Pam Eddinger also welcomed all who wished to join in a moment of silence.
