The Skyline View

Date created: 4/4/05 Section: NEWS

Media Credit: Richard Chiang Ilka Barcala, president of the Associated Students of Skyline College, student government presides over the March 31, meeting.

New Latin American and pre-med clubs are set to bring hope of cultural and educational development to the students and staff of Skyline College this spring.

Mid-semester, the Latin American Students Organization (LASO) and the Skyline College Pre-Medical Chapter of the American Medical Student Association have brought forth goals in helping students in Skyline develop leadership skills and acquiring advice on career-related subjects.

According to Shellie Raygoza, member of the LASO, "[The club] helps as a support group not only to those already here, but for future students looking for help and information."

Serving a similar purpose as a support group, Skyline's pre-med student club entertains the needs of students coming from minorities and underrepresented groups who are looking for careers in the medical field and also students who are curious about the field.

Support was the basis for how these clubs started. There was a strong contingent of Latin American students on campus, but members like Raygoza wondered why there was not a club where these students can come together.

"The club is there for more campus involvement," she said. "Students can have a louder voice on what they want done on campus and a louder voice on what they can do for themselves."

Melchie Cabrigas, president of Skyline's Student Organization Club Council said that the development of the premed club took her by surprise because "there has not been a premed club in Skyline" to her knowledge.

"For any school that has a premed club, it gives hope to the students," Cabrigas explained.

"As a premed student I've come to realize that the road to medicine is a difficult and challenging one," according to club member Erica Torres, who was also one of the founders of the club. "As a group, I hope we begin to look at the disparities in medicine and look at how we can make our contribution to bridge the gap."

Not only can students get information from their counselors, but now because there is a premed student club, questions that counselors may not be able answer can be answered by the advisers and students from the club, according to Cabrigas.

These new clubs add to the repertoire of Skyline College being a commuter school. These clubs are important and unique "because it is like a portal to be exposed to education and school events," Cabrigas said. "It triggers interest in the community and if you don't have a declared major, it's best to go to these clubs to see your options."

The clubs have already taken a step forward by holding events this semester.

Torres mentioned that the premed club has had a Stanford University representative come to Skyline and, in the future, students can expect workshops on MCAT prep, personal statements, community and research involvement, and developing leadership skills.

LASO plans to have on- and off-campus outreach among students who are not just from Skyline but from high schools and other colleges. Also, they want to get involved with more leadership activities.

"If there were no clubs, the school would be boring and the population would deplete," Cabrigas said. Since there are clubs on campus, "students will be interested in more than what they already know."

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