Programs showed the public what they have to offer.
By Brianna Rodrigue
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
About 2,000 students and community members tried dishes from food trucks, shooting people with laser guns and seeing exotic animals such as Milo the kinkajou at the fourth annual SACtacular.
Melissa Alvarez, substitute teacher and former student, brought her two daughters, who all agreed that they had fun and a great night.
“This event was very organized and there were a lot of nice vendors,” Alvarez said. “I will come back next year because there was a lot of things to do as a family.”
Facing painting, henna tattoos, caricature drawing, laser tag, a fire truck, and a gladiator joust were a few of the activities presented at SACtacular.
A few clubs and organization had food booths to help raise money.
The Methodist Student Association was selling sausage wraps.
“We are raising money for about anything such as our missions trips or to help when we rebuild houses for people,” said president Alex Ruiz, anthropology sophomore. “Our goal is to sell out all of our sausage wraps.”
The Methodist Student Association will go on a mission trip to Costa Rica during spring break, which this money will help fund them.
While waiting in line for the caricature artist, nursing sophomore Amber Manjarrez said bringing her son was a great idea.
“This is my first year coming to SACtacular and so far it is fun. As soon as I saw activities for kids, I had to bring my 5-year-old son,” Manjarrez said.
Accounting freshman Kate Price was excited to see a python wrapped around the neck of her 3-year-old son, Atlas Garcia.
“He loves animals and it was exciting that he had the opportunity,” Price said.
Students, kids and parents were able to see Sienna the sloth, Bikram the python, Twister the falcon, and Milo the kinkajou from Zoomagination.
Zoomagination is a small company that rescues animals, Zoomagination trainer Clay Carabajal said.
“We really enjoy coming here and interacting with the kids, family and students to let them know how they can save animals,” Carabajal said. “We touch the heart and then teach the mind.”
While Carabajal made the audience laugh and informed them about the animals, Zoomagination trainer Clarissa Rodriguez helped assist him by bringing out all four animals.
For more information about Zoomagination, visit their website, www.zoomagination.com.
The dental assisting program promoted the program by giving away stickers, toothbrushes and toothpaste and placing tattoos on kids.
Dental assisting freshman Martha Griffith said they wanted to let families and students know about the program and educate them about the importance of taking care of their teeth.
Erica Alvarez, TRIO Veterans certified adviser, and administrative service specialist Suzanna Wilson were promoting the TRIO Veterans booth to let students and people know about the program
“We are trying to let everyone know who we are and that we are here for the veterans,” Alvarez said. “We have tutoring, financial aid and the GI bill for the veterans, which many of them do not know we have for them.”
Alvarez said that $33,000 went to veterans during the summer and fall semesters.
Overall, SACtacular was a success Carrie Hernandez, senior student success specialist, said.
“I think it was a huge success and it gets better a little bit each year,” Hernandez said. “I was a little stressed out … but overall it went well.”
Hernandez was one of the committee chairs for SACtacular.
“I think it’s important to bring in our community because a lot of people don’t realize all the wonderful things we do here at San Antonio College, and part of that was to showcase all the departments,” she said. “I think it is important to let people know we are here for them.”