You don’t run before you walk. You don’t read the end of a book before you start it, and you’re not a Shark before you attend Sharkapalooza.
Last Friday, Bryana Chilampath, freshman biology major, officially became a Shark. She mingled with hundreds of other NSU students, faculty, alumni and community members; visited and signed up for a few clubs and organizations; enjoyed free food, fun activities and live music in the Don Taft University Center.
Chilampath, who wants to be a pediatric oncologist, said she was not very involved in high school and wanted to change that in college. She took the first steps towards doing that at Sharkapalooza by signing up for the pre-medicine club, optometry club and the International Muslim Association at NSU.
Chilampath was one of hundreds of students who attended this year’s event, which included student per-formances.
“It is the first time I’ve seen a fraternity step show and I really liked it,” said Chilampath of Alpha Nu Omega’s demonstration.
Among other festivities, attendees met mixed-martial artists Rafael “The Law” Dias, Danilo Villefort and Rene “Level” Martinez, who will be a part of a MMA event in the UC on Sept. 24.
The night ended with a glow-in-the-dark after-party. Hosted by Lambda Theta Phi Latin fraternity, Inc. and the Office of Student Activities, the after-party featured a DJ, black lights and free glow-in-the-dark bracelets and necklaces. More than 150 students attended the party.
Sharkapalooza marked the end of the first week of Weeks of Welcome, which ends with undergraduate convocation on Sept. 7.
