Story by Simone Del Rosario
The "Countdown to Summer" dance will be held at the NMSU Livestock Pavilion. (Photo by Simone Del Rosario)
A “Countdown to Summer” dance will be held at the New Mexico State University Livestock Pavilion on Friday night to benefit the Agricultural and Extension Education Graduate Student Organization.
The dance will feature the Yarbrough Band, a classic country and rock band that plays all over New Mexico. “Countdown to Summer” will be the first AXED GSO fundraiser event.
“The dance is a great way to strengthen the program and give it a strong sendoff,” Jacinda Hinkson, an AXED graduate student, said.
A fundraiser that’s fun
The group will sell snacks and refreshments at the event. The dance will start at 8 p.m. and end at midnight. It will be an alcohol-free event for all members of the community. Tickets are $5 per person or $8 per couple.
“We’re offering good, clean, non-alcoholic fun for everyone in Las Cruces during the college rodeo weekend,” Austen Moore, the student organization’s president, said.
The organization was founded last fall to raise money for students within the program to attend conferences assisting with thesis projects. Moore is attending an Association for International AXED conference in Saskatoon, Canada, to research his thesis. Money raised at fundraiser events, such as the dance, will help graduate students like Moore in the future to lift financial burdens.
Group leaders from the AXED Graduate Student Organization gather with their advisor, professor Brenda Seevers. (Photo by Simone Del Rosario)
Money raised will also be used to buy books and teaching supplies, because AXED graduate students are required to buy their own supplies for teaching classes on and off campus.
Along with fundraising for graduate student support, the organization performs community services on and off campus, including cleanup activities and volunteering at The National Future Farmers of America Organization career development events and contests.
“Through our involvement with FFA, we aim to promote agriculture and support statewide youth programs,” Brie Del Rosario, the AXED GSO secretary, said.
The AXED GSO started with ten students and involvement from AXED faculty. Today, the organization is working to increase numbers and further educate people on the program.
