By Colin Froment, Nicole Taylor, Ashley Cosgrove – 1851 Staff, 1851 Staff, Contributing Writer 

Students say “thank you” to donors with TAG Day event

The Student Alumni Association organized the second annual Thank-A-Giver (TAG) Day on April 4 in the Arnow Campus Center. The event highlights the number of people who have donated money to the Lasell Fund.

The event included a large “thank you” poster for the donors that students could sign, as well as snacks and raffles for gift cards to Chipotle and Amazon. Lasell’s mascot Boomer also made an appearance.

Kelsey Brogna, the Associate Director of Alumni Relations, contributed in organizing the event to help students understand the importance of the Lasell Fund and how much the campus has improved because of donations. “It’s good to let donors know that we appreciate their commitment to the college and its students. Without their support, there’s a lot of things on campus that wouldn’t be possible,” said Brogna.

The money donated to the Lasell Fund benefits many programs offered on campus, including study abroad and Shoulder-to-Shoulder trips, scholarships, academic programs, and technology resources, among others.

“It’s a great opportunity for students to personally say thank you.” said junior James Rossano, President of the SAA.

Seniors celebrate 25 days until graduation 

On Thursday, April 13, Franco’s Pizzeria and Pub in Waltham was filled with Lasell seniors to celebrate the final weeks until graduation.

The event was the last countdown celebration until Senior Week. Senior Class President Kelsey Desjardins helped plan each event alongside the class officers and staff from the Office of Student Activities. “It is very stressful at times,” said Desjardins. “My favorite part is seeing all the events come together after all the planning.”

“At first I was skeptical, but I think Franco’s was the perfect place for 25 days,” said Aliza Bogosian. “It was affordable too – we’re all strapped for cash at this point.”

However, Franco’s is a tight space for a large crowd so some seniors were not allowed inside the bar because of issues with over-capacity. The seniors who made it inside enjoyed karaoke, dancing, and billiards.

Seniors were not the only ones who did karaoke. Campus police officer Brian Barnes  sang Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” as part of an agreement with the Senior Class Committee. The agreement was if the senior class met the goal of raising $2,200 by the time of the event, he would have to sing karaoke. “I thought it was a great way for Campus Police to help send off the seniors in a goofy way,” said Andrew Glynn.

Lasell takes a S.T.E.P for foster kids

This semester a group of students formed a campaign to help children of trauma, specifically, children in the foster care system. The campaign was created by the Action for Social Justice: Advocacy for Children class, with sociology professor Betsy Leondar-Wright.

S.T.E.P stands for “strengthening to empower and protect.” The campaign is working to raise the state budget for Department of Children and Families, line item 4800-1100: Social Workers for Case Management. With the increase, the social workers will have smaller caseloads and be able to focus more directly on the foster child’s needs.

On April 12, the goup had more than 60 people call state representatives to vouch their support.

The class will be holding an event at the State House April 25 at 2 p.m. Attend the event to show support and help foster children get the proper help and resources they deserve.

The group of students will be demonstrating the stress of a social worker through a brief street performance. And meet with legislators.

These children in the foster care system did not have a choice of what happened in their past, but the class’s help can make a bright and positive difference in their future.