The offices of Student Engagement and Activities (SEA) at San Jacinto College are known for hosting social events, but part of their mission is to promote success in and out of the classroom by enhancing the student experience. 

As such, SEA is organizing Texas Independence Day celebrations on the three main San Jac campuses, March 1 and 2, aimed at educating students, faculty, and staff about their home state.

Amanda Garza, an SEA specialist on the Central Campus, said the primary benefit of the celebrations is “students gaining knowledge of Texas History.”

However, South Campus SEA Specialist Samantha De La Rosa highlighted a greater value.

“Educational events benefit San Jacinto College by allowing students to learn in a more interactive way, and allowing students to learn outside of the classroom,” De La Rosa said.

Likewise, Jennifer Cerda, North Campus’s SEA specialist stressed that events like the independence day festivities promote social interaction and communal ties by providing opportunities for students “to get involved in their communities and in other organizations off campus.”

The independence day celebrations will feature Texas history trivia games, corn hole, facts about Texas, and the game room will be open for students to enjoy. Each campus will serve light refreshments. 

However, Cerda noted, Texas Independence Day events are not simply meant to fill empty spots on the SEA calendar, rather they were created “to build Texas pride in our student, staff, and faculty.” 

De La Rosa added, “I believe all student should be familiar with the history of where they live.”

The Texas Independence Day events are taking place: 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on March 1 in the Student Center (C14) on the Central Campus; 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on March 1 in the Student Center (N12) on the North Campus; and 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on March 2 in the Student Center (S11) on the South Campus.