THE Annual Freshmen Night of the University of St. La Salle (USLS) organized by the University Student Government (USG) proved to be the most lavish, well-organized extravaganza to date.
Through the Frosh Icon competition, the activity advocates the values and sense of belongingness the Lasallian community hopes to impart to its freshmen students. At the end of the event, it is envisioned that each incoming freshman will, in the future, look back on how the university welcomed and embraced them through this memorable and meaningful production.
This year’s theme is “Aventura” (Latin for adventure) – which aims to highlight that each incoming freshman’s journey in USLS is one remarkable adventure. Envisioning the journey throughout the four years that each student goes through, the show was divided into four distinct segments showcasing the distinct experiences one encounters during each year of study.
Well-executed, exotic and colorful costumes were paraded by both male and female representatives of the five colleges of the university. The stage was transformed into the Sambadrome as they cavorted in their feathery and glittering carnival costumes -- representative of Rio de Janeiro’s famous festival.
Next, they came out as revelers at the Grand Masquerade Ball of Venetian fame. The earthy African Savannah was then featured when the college representatives paraded costumes representing the grit and struggle for life found in the vast plains of the black continent.
Lastly, as students step onto the last year of their education, triumph and freedom was evoked by the sentimental winter lights that lets one reminisce the journey with the prized laurel clearly in sight.
There was no dearth of spectacle. In between the segments, the audience was rapturously entertained by the USLS Artian dancers led by Rodney Ascalon, the university chorale and the John Baptiste dance group.
The young ambassadors that represented their colleges exuded confidence, creativity and competence – all core attributes the rest of their college mates hope to acquire. The camaraderie this annual activity has generated among the students has strengthened the resolve of these incoming freshmen from going through their adventure with pizzazz, courage and strength.
But while all Frosh Icons are worthy of their stature, the icons from the College of Arts and Sciences represented by Briscia Rivera and Matthew Vazquez were crowned winners, followed closely by representatives from the College of Business and Accountancy. They were adjudged the “cream of the crop” as they proved worthy to the expert panel of judges.
The USG headed by Executive President Veronica “Nikki” Te left no stone unturned as they delivered a most exemplary production worthy of nothing but praise. The drive to make this event the most memorable to date is fueled by the fact that the university will expect no college freshmen in the next two years as the education systems segues into the K-12 system.
Even more impressive is the way these youthful leaders navigated their way through the controversies that went along with the process leading up to the show. It was professionalism at its finest. And they managed to gather the most distinguished group of judges that represented the best of local politics, business, fashion and beauty.
Beyond the extravaganza, though, the university where I matriculated from is in a league of its own. It has managed to carve the pride of being the single, most productive source of intelligent, courageous and creative young minds. Through this activity, USLS has never waned in supporting the development of the young.
Going back after so many years, walking the halls of the esteemed institution, I was left in awe with the improvements made on school grounds and the innovative ways the Lasallian environment has fueled the passion for excellence. So much so that I never batted an eyelash when the organizers of the show approached DLRS Travel to be one of the major sponsors of the event.
The holistic approach to education by the University of St. La Salle is a testament to the need for an inter-disciplinary approach in preparing our young for the future.
This singular sensation of an event, spectacular as it is, bespeaks this hope which goes beyond the spectacle.