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Second annual Sprit Week celebrates Scorpion Culture

Oct 2, 2013 | Campus News

By Mandi Enger

Celebrating the unique environment and culture of the Nevada State College (NSC) campus, the college held its second annual Spirit Week Monday, Sept. 23 through Friday, Sept. 27. With activities held each day of the week, the festivities invited students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community to get involved.
While the campus continues to grow, our goal is to maintain the close-knit environment that has made NSC special since the beginning, shared Brandi Robinson, events coordinator and Spirit Week director. Spirit Week provides opportunities for the campus community to mingle, students and faculty to connect outside of the classroom, and most importantly, for all to tout their Scorpion Pride.
The Spirit Week tradition was developed in fall of 2012 as the campus celebrated its ten-year anniversary.
The 2013 week kicked off on Monday with the annual State of the Campus Address held at the City of Henderson Event Plaza Amphitheater. During the presentation, President Bart Patterson outlined his vision and direction for the campus over the next year.
A Day of Service, one of the new Spirit Week programs, followed on Tuesday. The day’s schedule was focused on supporting the Southern Nevada community and welcomed campus volunteers to lend a hand to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children and Spread the Word Nevada, write a letter to a member of the military through Operation Gratitude, or take part in an American Red Cross blood drive. The campus came out in force to aid the community organizations, send over 50 letters to active and retired members of the military, and donate over 20 units of blood.
Returning from the 2012 schedule of events, Wednesday included a Speaker Series in the Marydean Martin Library. With topics ranging from zombie biology to Cleopatra, the series encouraged students, faculty, and staff to explore topics outside of their classroom studies. The presentations led by faculty were based on professional research as well as personal interests.
Also, on Wednesday, Bowling with Bart was held for the second year in a row at Sunset Station with a crowd of nearly 100. Unlimited bowling and pizza were provided for participants. During the event, President Patterson was proud to bowl a personal record of 138.
A Chicano studies presentation was led by Dr. Nicholas Natividad during Thursday’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration. Becoming a new Spirit Week favorite, free salsa lessons were offered in the Dawson building by Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Dance participants also enjoyed lunch provided by Roberto’s Taco Shop.
Encouraging health and fitness, Friday morning events included a 5K fun run around the Liberal Arts and Sciences building and its surrounding neighborhoods as well as restorative yoga led by local yoga instructor Simon Moseley.
Scorpion Field Day: Clash of the Classes took place Friday evening and was the grand finale of the celebratory week. Competing for the Scorpion Trophy, teams were organized by class status (freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors). Through teamwork as well as talent, members of the sophomore class were named the 2013 victors. Games included field day favorites such as tug-of-war, three-legged races, and hula hoop contests.
During the 2012 Field Day, participants were divided into teams based on NSC department and the Administration team was awarded the trophy.
Thank you to all participants and supporters of the 2013 Spirit Week Celebration, added Robinson. It’s great to see the evolution of the NSC culture as both new and longstanding members of the campus community take part in the festivities. The 2014 week is already in the planning stage stay tuned for exciting new activities mixed with campus favorites from the first two years!