Arizona State University - Sun Devil Spark / Sahuaro Yearbook (Tempe, AZ)

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The feeling of knowing that there is always someone there FOCUSED ON to listen to the problems that we students face whether its A PURPOSE personal or academics creates wonderful feeling inside BRANDIE WHITFIELD Continued from page 5c ASU, Whitfield said. Whitfield spoke of how STARS affected her life a great deal and how it has helped her to open up a little more with people and discuss some of the problems she had encountered, whether personal or concerning academics. The feeling of knowing that there is always someone there to listen to the problems that we students face whether its personal or academics creates a wonderful feeling inside, she said. Whitfield said the organization affected her greatly as a student and provided study groups which made it easier to get help with courses. I think its a lot more personal because its more one on one, she added. Whitfield said that everyone should join an organization so they can feel like they ' re a part of the university. Not being involved in a campus makes you lose focus because you just go to class and there is no feeling of doing anything worthwhile, she said. Whitfield said she felt her does serve a legitimate purpose to its members and to Arizona State, since there has been a low percentage of black students on campus. STARS is an organization where blacks can come together and not feel lost, Whitfield said. This also provides our own culture of role models that have made it through the ASU system. Whitfield said joining STARS helped her fit in at school. The mentor program and the social were just a few things STARS members encountered to help them feel more at home. Having an opportunity to be in- volved takes away the fear of being intimidated by the size of ASU, Whitfield said. Being in STARS gives me the support to conquer any obstacles that I may encounter.

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(Above) Nelson and take time from a busy day to They have together for ee years and when es to the house- duties, both tribute. We take Nelson said. cook dinner one night and cook night. (Left) over the answer key, Nelson, a grade geography teacher, is working towards his teaching . Photos by Valenzuela without our personal relationships, many of us would never be able to make it through college. Friends and family form the support system that helps ease the pressures of university life and building these were just as much a part of school as tests and homework. Hans Nelson, a 28-year-old history major, had learned the lessons that college had to teach him, both in the classroom and out. It was the Minder- Binders Restaurant which provided a unique setting for Nelson to allow entrance into the hidden corners of his mind and soul. A determined individual, Nelson rated his objectives high on his list of priorities. When you make a commitment to do something long term, you get stability, Nelson said. It ' s an investment, if you invest in something risky, your walking on egg shells, it ' s easy to lose. Nelson said he had learned to be very select with his friendships. After having exposure to what he called plastic individuals, he made it a point to display caution in his choice of confidants. Learn to enjoy the company of real friends, he said. Remember your family, you can ' t get through college without their support. We need that backbone. Without the psychological and support ofhis parents, Nelson said that he never would have made it through his college years. He added that without their guidance, he may have. Continued on page 6d Text by Damian Gomez