On the first of October, light path of Stockton University was filled with students from several organizations to raise awareness of suicide. The event was heavily contributed by Stockton’s Wellness Center while our director of residential life, Pedro Santana, delivered a provoking speech about the crushing effects of suicide on families, friends, and loved ones.

Ribbons were handed out for people and walkers to support the cause

Santana explained the importance of receiving help from people whom you trust, whether that may be family, friends, or the Wellness Center’s employees. After the opening remarks and brief monologue, the walk began. I started the walk near the front with the rest of the Stockton collegiate men’s soccer team. Although we were not represented in entirety, we were thankful and honored for the privilege to take part in such an eye-opening experience. For myself, I relearned the signs and symptoms of how people might be thinking about suicide. I realized the importance of admitting that there may be a problem in someone else’s life. During the walk, I really loved the candles on the sides of light path that represented the lives lost to suicide. Seeing each one reminded me how crucial it is to love and encourage everyone we are around. Presenting an open attitude and a smile can change someone’s minute, day, or even life. It reminded me of a verse in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 16:14, which says, “let all that you do be done in love.” I think the message of the suicide walk was to not just raise awareness of a growing topic but also alter lives of people walking. To change these numbers of suicide rates, we must learn to walk and grow into a way that is more loving.

I enjoyed Stockton’s Suicide Prevention walk because it was not only informative, but it gave me another perspective about life. I know people are struggling and I know there is a desperate need to love. The main message I could take away was that you never know who may be hurting deep inside, so just in case, love everybody you see and meet. Sometimes changing lives can be as simple as a nice smile.

On September 19^th and 20^th, the halls of A through I wing were packed with student clubs and organizations of Stockton University. The Get Involved Fair was hosted by hundreds of representatives of different groups that were spreading the word about their ideas, projects, services, and more. The organizations participating in the Get Involved Fair were clubs based on hobbies, specific majors, culture and ethnicity, intramurals, fraternities and sororities, art and dance, and more. Since I am already a part of the men’s soccer team here at Stockton, I do not have such an open schedule like most of the students who participated in attending the fair; however, I loved the welcoming vibe and atmosphere that the Get Involved Fair brought to the community of Stockton.

As I walked back from my 8:30 a.m. Aging and Health class in F-wing, I noticed something peculiar about each wing I passed through: I saw tables all over the main floor of the hallways, demonstrating to me that there may be an event going on later in the day (this week I didn’t check the Student Digest that Stockton emails to residents every Monday and Thursday, so I was understandably confused). When I tried to muscle my way through each wing at 11:15 a.m to arrive to my 11:20 a.m. Freshman Seminar on time, it became clear that it was the week of the Get Involved Fair. The crowds of people flocked table to table to discover more information about campus life and how to get involved at Stockton. When I returned to the Get Involved Fair after my seminar, I perused each wing to see what I considered interesting. Although there were many groups I wouldn’t join, I found that members of groups that were avid about their organization, whether fraternities or fishing, seriously intrigued me. I found myself examining what I am passionate about because at this Get Involved Fair, I am was given the absolute freedom to be a part of anything that I want. It was a freeing experience to see the energy of Stockton become so positive to new students who want to find a future with an organization. On the contrary, there were some groups who showed no enthusiasm at all, but I enjoyed seeing the real passions of group leaders sharing their love with visitors at their respective tables.

I am committed to the collegiate men’s soccer team at Stockton, which implies that I cannot join any groups that may conflict with my school or athletic schedule; however, in the upcoming spring semester, I will be looking to be a part of some clubs. I am striving to play an intramural sport in the off-season with some of my friends and I will be looking to be joining an organization for my belief in Christianity. If I have the time, I may try to sign up for the sign language club here at Stockton.

No matter how crowded the hallways may be, I feel that the Get Involved Fair is a great first step for new students to lodge their foot in the door at Stockton. The Fair is here for transfers and freshman like myself to experiment and find a home with people, and that is why the welcoming atmosphere was so essential. Sometimes people will join a group and not like it, sometimes people will join a group and love it, but it is up to us to make the brave first step in interacting with our community at Stockton.

We are here at Stockton not just to receive an education, but also to make friendships and be a part of something that we are passionate about.