As a member of the University of Houston Student Foundation, I recently attended the 10th Anniversary Red and White Ball, hosted by the Houston Alumni Organization. For all of you who do not know what the Red and White Ball is - as I did not before I joined the Student Foundation - it is a large, black-tie dinner party and auction which raises funds for scholarships and educational programs hosted by the HAO.
But this wasn't just any dinner party. This year's theme was "Celebrating Houston's Heroes," and the decor and program centered around a superhero motif.
Upon entering the Athletic/Alumni Facility, one was immediately ushered into a Batcave, complete with radical lighting and the standby "bang," "pow," "crash" cartoon captions from the old Batman television series. The cave exited into the event's main ballroom, which usually serves as an indoor athletic practice field. The space had been transformed into an elegant dining setting, complete with a superhero twist including an abundance of neon light centerpieces and giant screens playing old episodes of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.
In the center of the room was a revolving stage with a blues band, and hovering above everything was a giant parade-style Mighty Mouse balloon.
The event featured some of the most prominent members of our community who came to spend the evening participating on our campus.
At this event, Student Foundation members volunteered to handle a variety of tasks, including assisting in the operation of the live and silent auctions (auctioning off such items as a Plymouth Prowler), greeting and mingling with the guests and enjoying the overall atmosphere.
My point in writing this article, however, is not just to tell you that I went to a great party. Instead, I hope it helps raise your awareness that, as students, we have incredible opportunities available to us here at UH.
If your thing is to get dressed up in a tuxedo or a fancy dress and attend a great event with many of the pillars of the community, it is possible to do that here.
If that doesn't appeal to you, there are literally hundreds of other avenues the university can open through its student clubs and organizations. Many times, these opportunities slip by simply because students do not take the time to know that they are there.
The university has over 300 student organizations available to us. If you have a specific interest, stop by the Office of Campus Activities and talk to one of their many advisers. There may be other students on this campus with the same interests.
If such an organization does not exist, it's easy to form your own organization. The only way we can make a difference at UH is to get involved.
If there is something you do not like, fix it. If there is something you enjoy, promote it. UH is made up of people, and you are one of them. Make this the best possible experience you can.
Steele is a member of the University of Houston Student Foundation, an organization that works closely with the Houston Alumni Organization to prepare students for future roles in support of the University of Houston. Columns from SF members appear in The Daily Cougar alternate Tuesdays.