UCR: The crowd dances at the Masala Bhangra master class at the SRC on Thursday, May 24, 2012.

Check out the crowd at Thursday’s Masala Bhangra dance class!

As if the stress of being a full time student isn’t enough, I found a way to make my life even more complicated. Managing a job and school has always been a slight challenge for me, but it wasn’t until I started a state wide, non-profit organization and joined two other organizations that I really felt the weight of the world crashing down on me.

As the Vice President and Co-Founder of the World Lebanese Cultural Union - Council of Youth, I have the passion and responsibility of connecting the Lebanese youth outside of the Lebanon with their culture and bringing them back to their roots. For the second time, my organization hosted the Miss Lebanon California Pageant. The event took place this past Sunday in North Hollywood. Let me tell you, planning such an event is not easy! From finding contestants to finding judges, venues, flowers, photographers, videographers, hosts, and squeezing in rehearsal time with girls across the state, it’s safe to say that my life was dedicated to pageantry!

The beautiful contestants and the Executive Board!

Although the stress was overwhelming, the outcome was well worth it. My organization and I were able to train four beautiful contestants and crown Miss Alyssa Nader from UC Santa Barbra as our Miss Lebanon California! Our three prestigious judges, Dr. Massoud (UCR Alumni), Ahmed Ahmed (famous comedian at the Laugh In Peace Comedy Show at UCR), and former Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih, picked a beautiful and well-rounded girl to move on to Lebanon and compete in Miss Lebanon Emigrant International.

Miss USA 2010 and our Runner Up, Christine Sahyouni

Amongst all of the excitement, stress, and anxiety, I found that I was putting school second to my duties as Vice President. Looking back on the event, I am so proud of my board and I; however, I wish I had handled things a bit differently. Through my involvement with various organizations and events, I have finally learned that school comes first. For the past two months my priorities have been skewed. I am blessed to be a part of such an amazing organization and even more grateful to attend such a diverse and beautiful university. It is key to find balance between school and extracurricular activities. I encourage all UCR students to find their passion, get involved in an organization, and still remain focused on school. Although it’s a stretch, it is absolutely achievable. Follow your dreams, Highlanders!

Miss Lebanon California 2011 crowning Alyssa Nader, Miss Lebanon California 2012

Hope to see you at next year’s Miss Lebanon California Pageant!

-Tina

ucraspb:

ASPB Presents The Last Laugh featuring THE WAYANS BROTHERS!
Thursday, May 31st 2012 | 7:30PM | Student Recreation Center

Facebook Event

Check out the Wayans Brothers at UCR!

Source: todofest

KUCR is UC Riverside’s award-winning college radio station on campus. Hidden along the outskirts of campus down Linden St. and behind the residence halls, KUCR has broadcasted since 1966. The station incorporates an eclectic music program with the discussion of important campus-wide and worldwide issues.

“Founding KUCR station manager Hans Wynholds (foreground) and founding engineer Bill Farmer inside the station”- in a picture taken by famed photographer Ansel Adams!
Source: KUCR Archives

Founded by UCR students in 1965, KUCR has become an important part of this campus as a medium for open discussion, dialogue and free expression.

As a student, I have definitely enjoyed the programs put on by KUCR. I actually didn’t find out we had a college radio station on campus until my second year here, but since then, I haven’t stopped listening!

A few of my favorites programs include: Philosophy Talk, I Hate Mondays, The Guy Here Thursdays and Bipolar Minutes with Just Jenny. If you haven’t listened in yet, check the Program Schedule and see if you find anything you like!

And if you’re free today, KUCR will actually be hosting its 5th Comedy Apocalypse! This event brings in comedians from different parts of the comedy world. This year the line-up includes:

Jimmy Dore, Paul Gilmartin, Bobby Miyamoto and Omar Nava!
Source: Comedy Apocalypse V

So, if you haven’t tuned-in yet, go to 88.3 KUCR, right now! Now!

-Cecilia

ucrgeekweek:

Monday May 21 | Arcade Revival
@ Latitude 55
12:30-5:30pm

Come join us as we kick off Geek Week with some video games and a guest speaker. We’ll be having Mike Z, designer of Skullgirls, coming in to talk about how it is to work in the gaming industry.

Tuesday May 22 | Performance Night
@ Watkins 1000
8:10-10:30pm

Come see Dynasty Dance Troop, Improv Anonymous, Not So Sharp A Cappella and Cosplay Brigade put on a show. 

Tuesday May 22 | Gamer’s Guild Game Night
@ HUB 269
5-8:30pm

If you’re not into performances, check out what Gamer’s Guild has to offer. Play some card games and board games. I hear that Magic the Gathering is big this year with Gamer’s Guild.

Wednesday May 23 | Live Action Night
@ Sproul Lawn
7-9pm

Cosplay Brigade, the Chess Club and Gamer’s Guild have collaborated to literally bring the game of Chess to life. 

Thursday May 24 | Film Night
@ Physics 2000
7:10-10:30pm

Film & Photography Society will be showcasing a couple of student made films. 

Please come out and support all the student organizations and the people that made this possible.

Credit for the Tardis image goes to [x]

You’ve been accepted, submitted your SIR, and are staying on top of your classes to make sure you transition smoothly into college. So, what’s the next step? Orientation!

Source. Students throwing up their R’s at Highlander Orientation 2011.

Highlander Orientation is a chance for you to get a better feel for UCR and what it’s all about. You’ll be able to talk to faculty, advisors, and fellow students in order to prepare to attend in the fall. If you’re thinking that this is just like Discover Day or Highlander Day, you’re mistaken! Highlander Orientation is an interactive, 2-day event with more than just information.

Source. Highlander Orientation: a chance to perfect your group jump shot.

Other undergraduates will lead you around campus, answering any question you can think of and giving personal advice that you just can’t find in a booklet. You’ll also be placed in a group of other incoming first-years with the same major as you. These students will be your future classmates, your future hall-mates, and maybe even your roommates! You’d be surprised how well you can get along with a group of strangers and how quickly you can become friends. This experience is invaluable and will kick start your college career.

So, what exactly do you do at Orientation?

Source. Students explore the student org expo.

I won’t give away all the details, but they include registering for classes, getting to know your major, eating at one of UCR’s dining halls, taking a quick tour of the campus, learning UCR’s fight song, and much more. So, make no mistake, you’ll be busy during Orientation and it’ll be both fun and insightful. You even get the stay the night at Pentland Hills, one of UCRs newest residence halls. This will give you a chance to see what on-campus living is really like.

Source. Friends, fun, and student life at Highlander Orientation!

So, during this summer (it’ll be a long one) you’ll definitely have something to look forward to. Welcome to UCR!

-Xavier