After six weeks of lectures, classroom work, English papers, math word problems, and various other activities, the Summer Bridge students were rewarded with the annual
"End of the Bridge" pizza party.
The logistics were handled by Summer Bridge Coordinator Gloria Monaghan and the party was funded by LARES. Thanks to arrangements made by LARES Counselor Belia Gonzalez, the party was held on campus in the Chatterbox, a student lounge on the fourth floor of the Circle Center highrise. This room has many tables and chairs, along with two pool tables, a foosball table, and a "boom box" for playing the students' favorite music.
As the photo shows, the students were anxious for the proceedings to begin.
Leonard Ramirez, Director of LARES, began the festivites by speaking for a few minutes.
Mr. Ramirez thanked the students for their efforts during the summer session and urged them on to great things during their college careers.
He related some of his experiences to the students and offered some sage advice. The students were obviously interested.
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Mr. Ramirez concluded his words and then invited all present to enjoy the Giordano's pizza and soda pop that had just been delivered.
At the mere mention of pizza, the students flocked to the tables to take a slice (or two or three).
One group of students, strangers at the beginning of the Bridge but now friends, agreed to pose for a picture.
Here we see Liz, Mario, and Jamie, a trio of stellar Summer Bridge performers!
Members of the LARES family also enjoyed the pizza party. In the foreground is Summer Bridge student Russ talking to LARES Counselor Maritza Vega. In the background are Jose Perales, Art Ramirez, and Hugo Teruel.
Other LARES family members enjoying the party were Karen Quintana, Gloria Monaghan, along with Jose and Art.
Instrumental in the success of this party and present, though not pictured due to a camera problem, were LARES Counselors Alfredo Rueda and Belia Gonzalez. Also not pictured but present were Math Instructors Alfredo Peralta and Terry Mankus.
And so ends the last LARES Summer Bridge of the Twentieth Century, with wistfulness about the good times that have passed outweighed by
the exciting prospects for future opportunities!