Field Day, Fun and New Faces!
Field Day 2023
We hope everyone had a great time at Field Day 2023!
We are proud of A.S. for having not only one winning team but two in the obstacle course! After navigating through an inflatable obstacle, completing a puzzle blindfolded and skiing through the field on 4x4’s, our very own Get Rec’d beat the other 41 teams on the course and took home the gold medal while A.S. Not Students took home the bronze. Way to represent A.S. well!
We hope everyone enjoyed the tacos, photo booth and fun in the sun and thank you to our Aztec Adventures team for putting on the obstacle course for all of the teams to enjoy!
A.S. Essentials: Mark Zakrzewski, Cole Davis, Amanda Gonzalez, Adam McClanahan, AJ Munoz-Bond, Nate Wolf and Ally Norman
Associated Not Students: Mohammad Hamed Rasooli, Olivia Li, Brian Levett, Rodrigo Mercado, Janice Dils, Nicole Nororian, Kaylani Brown and Richard Benson
Aztec Rec Razzle-Dazzle: Charlotte Roberts, Durand Smiley, Caitlyn Smiley, Pam Mahlow, Karlie O’Rourke and Dawn DiNardo
Meet the 2023-24 Executive Officers
Tarek Morsy
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What is your name, title, year and major?
Tarek Morsy, President, Fourth year, Finance major
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“Most people don't know that I like to…
…box.”
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"Three words I would use to describe myself are…
…fearless, optimistic and creative."
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If you could go back or forward in time, where would you go and why?
Back to 2002, so I could invest in the correct stocks as a 0 year old.
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What is your go-to meal on campus?
Easy — poke and honey I add in from Trader Joes.
Sam Lingao
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What is your name, title, year and major?
Sam Lingao, Executive Vice President, Fourth year, Psychology major with a minor in Leadership Development
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“Most people don't know that I like to…
...travel in an effort to learn about different cultures and diverse perspectives!"
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"Three words I would use to describe myself are…
...outgoing, open-minded and optimistic."
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If you could go back or forward in time, where would you go and why?
I would travel back to the 1960-1970s to experience a live concert from The Beatles — they're one of my favorite bands!
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What is your go-to meal on campus?
Chipotle followed by Everbowl for a sweet treat!
Melvin Ridley III
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What is your name, title, year and major?
Melvin Ridley, I am the Vice President of External Relations and I am a fourth year Political Science major
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“Most people don't know that I like to…
...binge watch unsolved mysteries and crime documentaries.”
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"Three words I would use to describe myself are…
…motivated, sociable and fun-loving.”
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If you could go back or forward in time, where would you go and why?
Back in time to middle school and high school so I could enjoy the "simpler" times again.
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What is your go-to meal on campus?
Single meal from Epic Wings (extra crispy lemon pepper wings or medium strips).
Leo Peña Reyes
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What is your name, title, year and major?
Leo Peña Reyes, Vice President of Financial Affairs, Fourth year, Finance major
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“Most people don't know that I like to…
…mix music.”
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"Three words I would use to describe myself are…
…tall, resilient and caring.”
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If you could go back or forward in time, where would you go and why?
I'd go 20 years into the future to a Christmas family dinner to see all of my future family.
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What is your go-to meal on campus?
UTK California burrito with either steak or crispy chicken with fries, ranch and chipotle sauce on the side.
Ally Gallant
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What is your name, title, year and major?
Ally Gallant, Vice President of University Affairs, Fourth year, Political Science with a minor in International Security and Conflict Resolution.
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“Most people don't know that I like to…
...run! I enjoy training for marathons and running all around San Diego with friends.”
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"Three words I would use to describe myself are…
…ambitious, encouraging and adventurous.”
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If you could go back or forward in time, where would you go and why?
I would go backwards in time and see who actually was responsible for the murder of John F. Kennedy.
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What is your go-to meal on campus?
I love Shakesmart's Greens-to-Go smoothie!
Mud Day Fun!
International Mud Day celebrations happen all over the world as a way to connect children to the Earth and soil, and discover the messy joy that comes from playing in and with mud.
The Children’s Center recently celebrated Mud Day, making mud pies and mud paintings and taking mud baths! Everyone from the infants to preschoolers, enjoyed the muddy fun, even the teachers!
Here is a glimpse of what the celebration looked like…
There’s more to mud than just the fun.
Research shows getting dirty can be good for you. Dirt contains a beneficial microscopic bacteria called Mycobacterium vaccae (M. vacca) that can boost the immune system. Studies have shown that young children who are exposed to it early in life develop better immune tolerance to things like asthma and allergies. M. vacca can also trigger the release of serotonin in the brain, which in turn lowers stress levels and regulates mood. And squishing and patting mud is a great way for children to get tactile and develop learning skills with sensory play. It also helps them get used to their natural environment while playing outdoors. So, mud can make you healthy and happy!
Sources:
The Allegheny Front
Healthline
August A.S. Sustainability Tip
By Charlotte Roberts, A.S. Sustainability Coordinator
You’ve probably heard about the Inflation Reduction Act, but did you know it includes thousands of rebate dollars for individuals?
We are already experiencing the effects of climate change across the world, with extreme weather events, wildfires and heat waves increasing in frequency and magnitude. Because of this, air conditioning is essential for human health in high temperature areas, but it can also present high utility costs that create a financial burden for individuals.
The EPA says “the amount of electricity used by the average American at home during the summer has nearly doubled since 1973.”(1) Adding on to that, over the last ten years electricity rates in San Diego have increased by over 100%.(2) Because of these two factors, energy efficiency benefits not only the environment, but also our budgets!
Associated Students greatly reduces utility costs in our facilities by using efficient HVAC systems coupled with generating about half of our electricity demand onsite with renewable solar energy. We are also transitioning our vehicle fleet to electric powered to eliminate tailpipe emissions and air pollution. By taking advantage of IRA incentives, you can do this too!
August A.S. Sustainability Tip:
If you’re planning to purchase an electric vehicle, replace mechanical equipment at home, install solar panels, add battery storage or make other home improvements, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will make it much more affordable. Even if you rent your home or apartment, share these incentives with your landlord or property management company:
- Electric Vehicle Tax Credit — up to $7,500!
- Clean Energy Tax Credits — 30% of the cost of solar and battery storage
- Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Credit — $250-$2,000 for new exterior doors, windows, skylights, central air conditioning units, insulating materials, heat pumps and more.
If you would like additional information or have questions about anything listed above, don’t hesitate to email me at cmroberts@sdsu.edu.
(1) Environmental Protection Agency
(2) Washington Post
Aztec Nights
Students, Aztec Nights are back for another fun semester! Aztec Nights are free, late night fun events with food, great music, games and much more. Check out the amazing lineup of events!
First Night Fest
Aztec Nights kick-off event to welcome new students to SDSU! Grab some FREE food, boogie with our live DJ, and win SDSU swag! This is a great opportunity to have fun with your fellow students and celebrate the start of your SDSU adventures together. Bag check is required.
Friday, Aug. 18 | 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Campanile Walkway
Returner Event Arcade Night
Returning students, ready to start the next round?! Aztec Nights welcomes back returning students to SDSU with this arcade-themed event in the student union. Battle your friends in a friendly competition of Mario Kart, Air Hockey, Dance Dance Revolution, Skee-Ball, and more.
Friday, Aug. 18 | 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Student Union Courtyard
Block Party
Block Party 23-24 - Everything but the kitchen sink…Join us to celebrate our SDSU community with cultural performances, FREE food and music. We look forward to seeing you at the Block Party!
Saturday, Aug. 19 | 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Campanile Walkway
Aztecs Just Want to Have Fun!
Get ready for your time on stage, it's KARAOKE TIME! Come dressed in your best vintage attire and complete the look as you get your hair and makeup done! Did someone say press-on nails, bedazzle clothes, glow jewelry, or sweat bands? Like, totally! As you wait for your turn on stage, be sure to eat some snacks, snap pictures with your friends, and decorate a photo frame to remember your fun night. Not a singer? There will be classic board, trivia, video games, and of course, PRIZES!
Sunday, Aug. 20 | 9 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Montezuma Hall, Student Union
Pump Up the Gym!
Pump up the Gym (Pump It UP!) is a high energy environment to welcome students to the Aztec Recreation Center. The DJ will pump up the volume for fitness, sports, and dance activities. Check out our inflatable archery tag - think robin hood meets paintball! The gymnasium will be pumped with other inflatable activities like the colorful obstacle course, inflatable jousting, sports challenges and more. Come for the fun, food and prizes!
Thursday, Aug. 24 | 9 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Aztec Recreation Center
Carnival Night 1
AHOY Pirates! Come enjoy NIGHT 1 of the annual Carnival with this Pirate Adventure themed night including an Amazon Zip Line and Rock Wall! Trying to beat the heat? Hungry? Carnival has got you covered with Shaved Ice and Bubba's Hawaiian. Come enjoy this ANNUAL night of FREE rides, games, music, fun, and meeting new people!
Friday, Aug. 25 | 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Campanile Walkway
Carnival Night 2
San Diego State Beach Boardwalk! In the fun San Diego Sun! Come enjoy NIGHT 2 of the annual Carnival, this night includes an Escape Room and Robo Surfer. There will be FREE rides, games, and music so be sure to come through and meet new people while having a blast!
Saturday, Aug. 26 | 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Campanile Walkway
For more information, visit the Aztec Nights website.
A.S. Book Club
The A.S. Book Club recently read “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid, a story of an aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon, Evelyn Hugo, who is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. With the new A.S. Book Club rating, it received 4.83 stars, out of 5.
Here is what the Club is reading next…
August 10: “1984” by George Orwell
Written more than 70 years ago, 1984 was George Orwell’s chilling prophecy about the future. Winston Smith toes the Party line, rewriting history to satisfy the demands of the Ministry of Truth. With each lie he writes, Winston grows to hate the Party that seeks power for its own sake and persecutes those who dare to commit thought crimes. But as he starts to think for himself, Winston can’t escape the fact that Big Brother is always watching...a startling and haunting novel.
September 14: “Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead: A Novel” by Emily Austin
Gilda, a twenty-something, atheist, animal-loving lesbian, cannot stop ruminating about death. Desperate for relief from her panicky mind and alienated from her repressive family, she responds to a flyer for free therapy at a local Catholic church, and finds herself being greeted by Father Jeff, who assumes she’s there for a job interview. Too embarrassed to correct him, she takes the job.
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Join in on the fun every second Thursday of month, at 4:30 p.m. in the Union Programs & Services Conference Room. All A.S. full- and part-time employees are welcome to join. Whether you read a printed book, listen to the audio version or read the eBook on your phone or tablet, join for lively discussions. If you have any questions or would like to join the club, please contact Quentin at 42303 or email qskaggs@sdsu.edu.
The San Diego Public Library offers print books as well as eBooks and/or audiobooks, for most titles. You just need a library card, which is free. The books are available through an app: Libby App: Free ebooks & audiobooks from your library by OverDrive.
New A.S. Employees
Ezra Gonzalez, Building Services Mechanic
Hello, My name is Ezra, and I am thrilled to be a part of the A.S. staff family.
I hold a degree in electrical engineering from SDSU, where I had the opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of circuits, power systems and electronics. My passion for problem-solving and a keen interest in understanding how things work drove me to pursue this field of study. It is incredibly fulfilling to apply my technical knowledge to practical applications and find innovative solutions to complex challenges.
Before joining the full-time A.S. team, I worked part-time as a Maintenance Lead and Maintenance Assistant over the past year. This experience has allowed me to develop hands-on skills in troubleshooting, repairs and ensuring the smooth operation of various systems. As the Building Services Mechanic, I am excited to bring my expertise to effectively maintain and enhance the infrastructure that supports our daily operations. I am excited to collaborate with all of you, leveraging our collective strengths and creating a positive impact. If you have any questions, ideas or simply want to connect, please don't hesitate to reach out. Let's work together to build a thriving and inclusive environment within the A.S. community!
AJ Munoz-Bond, Director of Adapted Athletics
Happy August A.S. family!
I am so excited to be our new Director of Adapted Athletics here in Aztec Recreation! This means I will be in charge of running our program designed to help students with physical disabilities pursue their dreams of higher education and elite athletics in the adaptive sports world. As a SDSU alum, I have been around for quite some time. I completed my undergrad in kinesiology here in 2019 and quickly followed up with a dual master's degree in 2021, one in exercise physiology and one in nutrition. Basically that means if you ever want to chat about fitness, whether it’s performance or general health and well being, I love to nerd out about it all.
I have worked as the head of strength and conditioning for Adapted Athletics since 2019 and as the head of sport performance and recruitment from 2022 until now. When I am not dedicating myself to the adaptive sport advocacy space, I am usually adventuring with my girlfriend, Lindsey, and our pup, Archie, bowling, playing soccer or using my AMC Stubs A-List Premiere membership!
Please don’t feel like talking to me has to mean you are up-to-date on all the lingo in the disability space, questions are always welcome and I may not even have the answer for you at the time so it might be a good learning moment for myself as well.
Mikayla Schulze, Aztec Student Union Operations Supervisor
Hello! My name is Mikayla Schulze and I am excited to introduce myself as the new Operations Supervisor for the Aztec Student Union. I graduated from SDSU with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration Marketing. During my time on campus, I worked at Viejas Arena and Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre in various roles including Event Staff Supervisor and Administrative Assistant. I am thrilled to continue working with A.S. and contributing the same level of dedication I experienced over the years to my team and the SDSU community.
Outside of work, I enjoy leading an active and creative lifestyle. As a San Diego native, I love taking advantage of the outdoors by going on frequent hikes and trips to the beach. I also enjoy going to the gym and cooking healthy meals in my everyday routine as well as baking to treat my sweet tooth. On the creative side, I have a great appreciation for art and am often inspired by my favorite artists, movies and books. I am excited to continue growing with A.S. and look forward to our upcoming Student Union events!
15 Questions
Adam Zamora
- What is your name and title?
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Adam Zamora, Systems Analyst
- Which A.S. department do you work in?
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IT, I take care of the trouble tickets for computer related issues and I work with our student employees.
- How long have you worked for A.S.?
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Almost 2 years.
- What do you like most about working for A.S.?
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I like working with our students. I like showing them different ways we can look at a problem and come to a solution. I like passing along the knowledge I have learned over the years.
- Do you collect anything? What do you collect?
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Yes, I collect Rubik’s Cubes and Nintendo games. Rubik’s Cubes for the challenge, shapes and varieties and Nintendo games for fun.
- Which three people (living or dead) would you like to have dinner with?
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Tiger Woods, Walt Disney and Shigeru Miyamoto. They are each an idol to me.
- What fictional family would you like to be a member of?
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The Addams Family. They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky, they're all together ooky, The Addams Family.
- Which famous person from history would you most like to meet?
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Leonardo Da Vinci — he had so many ideas ahead of his time.
- What is your favorite book?
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“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.” It was a book I was able to read and connect with my brothers, they are 4 years and 10 years younger than me. I am rereading it now with my children and it gives me that same bonding moment.
- What type of pets do you have and what are their names?
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I have a pug dog, Rosco, and 3 chickens, Penny, Winnie and Shades (she lays blue eggs).
- You have your own late night talk show, who do you invite as your first guest?
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Jo Koy, he’s a Filipino comedian.
- When you visit the zoo, which animal do you make sure you see?
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Elephants. They are intelligent and cute.
- If you had to sing karaoke right now, which song would you pick?
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R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion.” It’s easy to sing and most people know it.
- Would you rather speak all languages or be able to talk with animals?
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Definitely speak all languages. There’s something about being able to speak to anyone in the world without having the language barrier.
- What is one of your favorite things to do on the SDSU campus?
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People watching. Just seeing new students coming in, professors ready to pass along their knowledge. Seeing the different groups that come through the Student Union, wondering what they did in their life that brought them here.
Entertainment
VIEJAS ARENA &
CAL COAST CREDIT UNION
OPEN AIR THEATRE
Calendar
AUGUST 2023
