UW Recognized Student Organization for SSS Participants

Join us for Homecoming '09

   Advocates for Achievement (AFA), the newly formed UW SSS recognized student organization, had an award winning fall semester! AFA kicked off the year by enjoying a barbecue where students painted a one-of-a-kind masterpiece entitled "Futuristic Connections." Each student shared a personal goal with fellow students, and then painted a line on a board to other students with similar goals; these lines represent the common goals among the students. The painting will be on display on the third floor of Knight Hall in the SSS hallway.

   AFA conducted its first fundraiser this fall as well. The students raffled prizes to UW staff, faculty, administrators, students, and residents of Laramie. AFA used the funds to design and build a UW Homecoming Parade float. An 11-foot tall Pistol Pete rendition, adorned with pink attire, jewels, balloons, and streamers was main stage on the float, which was courtesy of Big T's Trucking of Casper. The students wore pink to represent their support of the Parade's theme, Breast Cancer Awareness. The AFA float was awarded "Best Use of Theme" for the 2008 competition. Along with a traveling trophy, the organization was awarded $100, which AFA donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

   Hispanic Heritage Month allowed AFA to celebrate Hispanic culture with another student organization, Movimiento Estudiantil de Chicanos de Atzlan (MECHA), through a sugar skull painting activity that commemorated El Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Also, AFA celebrated Halloween by serving the Laramie community through the Wyoming Union's Safe Treat adventure. Students and staff dressed in costumes, donated candy and prizes, and hosted a large game of Tic Tac Toe for local children.

  In November, AFA students attended a belly dance workshop hosted by Aylin Marquez. She taught AFA members about the history, music, and dress of Egyptian Belly Dance. She then taught the students  basic belly dance steps while they enjoyed homemade Turkish Baklava. AFA also sponsored a canned food drive to participate in Kans of Kindness. They built a can structure in the Wyoming Union to be entered in a competition to win a gift certificate. 

   In December, AFA hosted their holiday party at the Laramie Ice Arena where they enjoyed ice skating and a cultural holiday gift exchange.

  To get involved, contact Terra Dailey, President, at terrad@uwyo.edu. AFA meets weekly on Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m. in the Wyoming Union.

Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2009