Club Kickoff is an annual event hosted by the Associated Students where various clubs come out and persuade students to get involved outside of their classes. This year took a different approach, Fullerton College held their Constitution Day celebration in conjunction with Club Kickoff at the Quad on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. This helped attract students to visit a variety of tables and discover what different clubs and political organizations have to offer.
Public schools observe Constitution Day every year. Fullerton College celebrated Constitution Day alongside National Voter Registration Day this year.
The federal holiday is a reminder of Sept. 17, 1787, when the delegates signed the Constitution. Senator Robert Byrd introduced the legislation in 2004 to encourage knowledge of the Constitution and what it means for our country.
The president of the Political Science Student Association, Aiden Alicea, believed that the Constitution Day event could entice students who were already there for the clubs.
“It was purposeful to have it with Club Kickoff,” said Alicea. “I think that just having all of these representatives from campaigns and offices come over here. We can really gain some traction on students passing by.”
He viewed it as a convenient way of exposing students to political involvement. Students signing up for clubs could stop by to register to vote and hear about the ballots.
Throughout the Constitution Day event, students learned how to get involved in the elections. Organizations like the League of Women Voters and the Orange County Registrar of Voters guided students with registration.
“We really want to encourage young people to not just register to vote, but to be informed and engaged—to understand the connection between your ballot and what you want your community to look like,” said Professor of Political Science Jodi Balma.
Fullerton School Board candidates Vanessa Estrella and Leonel Talavera were there to garner support for their campaigns. Organizers also promoted other candidates that are competing on the local, state and national levels.
“Voting means to me—being empowered in your community and being able to represent your values at the level that you usually can’t do every other year,” Alicea said.
Meanwhile, students at Club Kickoff checked out a lineup of groups. Alpha Gamma Sigma, FC United, Business Students Association, Muslim Students Association, Fullerton Christian Students, and Phi Theta Kappa were some of the clubs at the event.
Fullerton College’s clubs provided students with details on what they intend on doing this semester. The clubs appealed to students based on their backgrounds, beliefs, hobbies, and career aspirations. The options allowed students to join the communities that they felt connected to their interests.
Dylan Rowe is a part of The Sustainability Project, which is new to Fullerton College. The club hopes to provide beach cleanups and perhaps other community service opportunities. He felt that the joint event would also help his club bring in the numbers.
“People are trying to have their voices heard I think,” said Rowe.
Associated Students Senator Dani Soto found that hosting Constitution Day with Club Kickoff could bring students together.
“I think this is very important for the Club Kickoff because it helps incentivize students to be more active in their communities in general,” Soto said. “It just reinvigorates everything that the Constitution stands for.”
