On November 2^nd, the freshmen honors trip to Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia occurred. After an hour-long bus ride, we split into two groups for a tour of the penitentiary. We walked around the outside and through the cell blocks as the guide explained the history of the revolutionary – for its time period – prison system. The penitentiary was originally built in the shape of a wagon wheel so that a single guard could stand in the very center of the spokes and watch all six wings. The prisoners were all low-risk and were meant to be rehabilitated completely. They were kept isolated from each other so they would not influence each other’s recovery. This system became a model for prisons across the world. However, this idealistic system did not last for long as crowding began to take precedent over the perfect system. At the beginning of the twentieth century, they abandoned the system entirely and became just like any other prison.

           As I enjoy history, and the prison is supposedly haunted, I found the experience quite interesting. After the initial tour, we were allowed to explore the prison and visit the areas that were not a part of the tour. The people I was with stayed in the ‘haunted’ cellblock for a long time, looking for signs of ghosts. There was one especially creepy cell which was dark with a human-shaped tree growing inside. When we finally left, we went to eat and walked along the street the prison was on, going in various stores such as a nifty book store, an icecream parlor, and a pet shop. All in all, the day was very informative but also a great bonding experience for our group. I would definitely recommend attending any future honors-related trips, if not for the activity itself, then for the people you would be with.

On Wednesday, October 9^th, the Stockton Entertainment Team held a Multicultural Music Festival in the Campus Center Coffee House. The festival included musical acts by several clubs and organizations as well as a buffet of foods from various countries such as pierogies, lo mein, and even popsicles.

Over the course of the event’s two hour run, many groups participated, and the tables were filled with interested students, showing their support for a more accepting and well-informed society. Some of the highlights of the evening include a step team routine, a hip hop quiz, a signed song, and an acapella performance. The step routine, presented by the Caribbean Student Association, was a rhythmic and entertaining display by three talented students who were met by loud applause at the end. After this routine, the United Black Student Society came up on stage to test the viewers’ knowledge of the hip hop genre. The UBSS representatives read lyrics to various songs, then gave a list of possible artists, asking the audience to guess which of the artists were responsible for the lyrics. Participants from the audience seemed excited as they successfully guessed each answer and were rewarded with bracelets. Next, the American Sign Language Club gave a performance to the song “Roar” by Katy Perry. As the music played in the background, eight of the club’s members stood on stage, signing the words to the song in a mesmerizing display of hands in motion. When the acapella group came on stage, everyone, even people from the Gaming Club meeting upstairs, gathered around to listen to their two songs.

All in all, the Multicultural Music Festival was a successful event, spreading awareness of other cultures and traditions through fun music and delicious food. I would definitely recommend watching (or even participating in) this festival if it is held again next year.

On September 17^th and 18^th, tables lined the halls of Stockton’s academic wings, each advertising a club or activity and beckoning passersby to join. It was the annual Get Involved Fair. Starting in J-Wing with the History Club, students, including myself, made their way through the line of displays until reaching A-Wing and the Math Club. There were so many choices, from Gaming Club’s table full of board games, card games, and video games that stretched into the middle of the hall, to Cooking Club’s free cookie decorating and SET’s lollipop giveaway.

At first, I only did a quick walk-through after my earliest class on Tuesday. I had a plan. I was going to join Math and Theatre Club, and that was all at the moment. However, right away I was drawn to History Club, then I passed by the ASA and could not stop myself from joining. At that time, there were not many clubs set up (it was only about a half hour into the first day of the event), so I left, satisfied with my four clubs. The next day, I returned with a couple friends who had not been to the Fair yet. I only meant to tag along, but the Gaming Club’s vibrant display looked like too much fun to pass up. By the end of the day, I had joined a total of nine clubs.

By attending the Get Involved Fair, it was easy to see how diverse and accommodating Stockton is. There are clubs for everyone, catering to every hobby, major, and service a person can imagine. The members who man the tables are all very charismatic and informative, eager to tell curious students about all their clubs have to offer. The Fair is an ideal opportunity to truly get involved in Stockton and get to know people with similar interests to you or even discover a new activity that you have never tried before. I would definitely recommend attending the next Fair if you missed this one, and if for some reason you are still hesitant, just think about all of the freebies you would be missing out on.