For just a dollar, students got the once-in-a-lifetime chance to swing a bat into the face of Hannah Montana, on a piñata.

The piñata was part of Ventura College’s Fall 2010 Club Rush that was held on Wednesday, Sept. 1.

The event was held on the quad at Ventura. For five hours, the quiet stone walkway transformed into a lively street fair filled with people and rows of tables, decorated with bowls of candy and brightly colored signs, advertising the types of different clubs.

The piñata fundraiser was a new idea that debuted this Club Rush.

Set up on the outdoor stage, students paid a dollar for an eyes-closed swing at a moving piñata. Small hits would make the piñata spit out a snickers or other small candy, and a perfect swing would release the jackpot fountain of candy.

The fundraiser went through three piñatas, donated by The Amar Ranch Market in Oxnard to raise funds for Associated Students of Ventura College.

“It’s the first time,” said ASVC Vice President Joe Ruiz on using piñatas as a fundraiser, “and it’s probably not gonna be the last.”

From 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the quad was alive with energy and laughter. There were numerous clubs that were brand new, and filled with potential and passion.

Some students like the community at VC because it gives them the chance to meet new people.

“It’s very easy to make friends here,” said Edgar Barton, 19, political science major and president of the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services Student Association (EOPSSA).

The EOPSSA promotes students to pursue higher education and assists them in reaching their goals.

Aimee Fair, 19, co-President of the Holistic Health and Wellness club, went to her first club meeting to get extra credit for a woman’s health class. And it turned out, she loved it.

Now, as co-president of the club, Fair hopes to help other people find their holistic self. 

“(At Ventura College) the energy, it’s all positive,” said Fair. “It seems everybody’s happy. It’s almost always a beautiful day on campus.”

The 18 clubs that attended the Club Rush were; the Psychology Club, the History and Pre-Law Club, the Holistic Health & Wellness Club, the University Transfer Club, Sociology Club, MEChA, Alpha Beta Gamma (ABG), Success through Diversity, Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society (AGS), EOPSSA, Deutsch Club, Club Hope, DREAM, Gay Straight Alliance, Spirit Club, ASVC, American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), and the Anthropology Club.

The Deutsch Club, a new club on campus focused on German culture, drew tons of attention with their club spirit.

Club president Sydney Gonzales dressed the part in a traditional style German dress, and two other club members carried the black, red, and yellow striped German flag.

The Spirit Club pumped up the energy with their excitement for the VC Pirate’s first football game of the semester against their rivals, the Moorpark Raiders, on Saturday, Sept. 4. The Spirit Club will be cheering at all the football games, as well as preparing for the USA Nationals competition in February in Anaheim.

ASVC Senator Monse Ortega, one of the students who planned this semester’s Club Rush, was pleased with the turnout.

“I think it’s a success,” said Ortega, smiling, “I see a lot of people not just passing by, but standing and talking to the clubs.”

The goal of the ASVC is to represent the students, so they have a lot of responsibility and potential to help evolve the school.

Planning a Club Rush is one of the types of things ASVC does to help students. Ruiz said the event took about a week to plan out. ASVC Senators Ortega and Martha Olin worked to come up with the date, planned where to set up the tables, and talked to club presidents. After the event was planned, their work turned into advertising through posters and banners, Facebook, and word of mouth.

“The reason we do it is for the people,” said Ruiz. “Is it a lot of work? Yes. But it’s worth it.”

The ASVC has also planned a second Club Rush on Sept. 16, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., for students that go to campus for Tuesday/Thursday classes. Also upcoming this Fall on Oct. 22 is ASVC’s Senators Night, with a music festival from 5 to 10 p.m.

Club Rush at Ventura College (Photo by Jurel Battad)

Club Rush at Ventura College (Photo by Jurel Battad)

Club Rush at Ventura College (Photo by Jurel Battad)

Club Rush at Ventura College (Photo by Jurel Battad)