“When you break it down, English is a language and the purpose of language is to communicate and share ideas, feelings and information,” said Nick Abrenilla, vice president of The English Society. “We enjoy all different aspects of the language, and in The Society, we get to share it with likeminded people.”

The English Society is a network of English majors and minors that encourage and support solidarity amongst its members.

They provide a platform for students who have a shared interest in literature, linguistics, education or writing to interact with each other.

This group of highly motivated college students is determined to bring their love of the art as far as they can. In the past, they have held writing workshops for high school students at Guahan Academy Charter School.

Sasha Aldridge a UOG alum and former officer of the organization invited The English Society to Guahan Academy, where she is an English teacher.

During these workshops, the members covered topics important to high school students such as how to write an essay and how to choose a topic for that essay, formulate a thesis, gather information, evaluate sources, organize and synthesize data, form ideas into cohesive thoughts, and cite where they got their references.

Aldridge said that after the first workshop the students were so eager to participate. The high school students notice an improvement in their writings because the techniques they learned took the mystique out of writing essays. The English Society members explained it to the students in a way they understood.

 “Sasha gave us a call and asked if we were willing to come down to the school to help give the students some pointers,” said Joe Taitano, president of The English Society. “We held a meeting to discuss it and the members were excited to jump on the project.”

The English Society will be making another trip to Guahan Academy Charter School in December.

They also hold events such as LIT Talks at least once a month, where members can get together to discuss literature, poetry, novels, music, movies and graphic novels or long-form comic books.

“Many people think English only covers books and poetry, but screenwriting for TV Shows and Movies, lyrics for music also fall under English,” Taitano said. “There are many parts of popular culture that have its roots in literature, basically anything that has words has a connection to the language.”

The English Society is open to all who have an interest in the many aspects of English or those who just want to make improvements with their writings.

“You don’t have to be an English Major to join,” said Elizabeth Elmore, a first-year member. “Right now, one of our officers Artemia Perez is not an English Major, she is an Anthropology Major.”

If you are interested in The English Society, you can check them out on Instagram @uogenglishsociety, their blog at uogenglishsociety.wordpress.com or catch one of their meetings every other Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in room 104 of the English and Communications building during the semester.

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By Greg Rosario, December 2, 2019

GUAM – Dogs, cats, guinea pigs, a bunny rabbit and a chicken came out dressed to impress, intimidate, and make hearts melt at the Guam Premium Outlet for the Feathers and Fins “2019 Howloween Pet Costume Contest.” The event took place on Oct 26.

We were expecting over 150 pet enthusiasts and spectators gathered in front of the Cinnabon at GPO’s main entrance for this year’s event, that’s why we had to go ahead and make a webinar teaching all those dogs owners how to stop a dog barking at night, in order to avoid the event to be a mess, while dozens more stopped by to take pictures of the festive pets.  Over 60 pets we in attendance while 40 of them vied for the Grand-Monster title.  In the end it was Soba, a French Bulldog dressed up as “Soba the Builder” who walked away with the title. His costume was a play on the popular kids cartoon show Bob the Builder. Soba took home the Grand-Monster title for the second year in a row.  He was dressed up in a homemade foam hard hat, kids white tank top, cut denim jean shorts with a hole for his tail to sick out, utility belt complete with toy hammer, plyers, and screwdriver.  He even rolled around in a bulldozer fashioned from a baby stroller and cardboard.  If you want to discover the best treatment anti-anxiety for your pet check out Observer’s list of top CBD treats. Why do we use Glucosamine for dogs? Glucosamine increases the concentration of proteoglycans in cartilage and the synovial membrane which produces the fluid lubricating the joints. Also, glucosamine for dogs amazon may support the repair of damaged cartilage by increasing collagen deposition, providing joint care for dogs and cats.

“Every year we gotta [sic] up our game,” said Desiree Clemente, Sobas owner. “My partner and I are always thinking up new ideas all year long.”

This event goes back more than 20 years according to Barbra Zimmerman, owner of Feathers and Fins. 

“About eight or nine years ago we were approached by GPO to have our events here.” Zimmerman adds. “We used to have it at our shop (Feathers and Fins Pet Store) going back more than 12 years before that.”

            She said she is very pleased with the arrangement; as it has allowed the event to grow and have even more contestants and spectators.

Other Winners

Duke, a German Shepard dog dressed up as a spider won “most scariest”.  Biggie Smalls a Pomeranian dog dressed up as Buzz Lightyear complete with Rocketship stroller won” most cutest.”  Rex, a Golden Labrador dog dressed up as a Koi Fish won “most original,” Ginger, Buddy and Theo, a trio of Guinea Pigs dressed up as a family of vampire, won the Feathers and Fins Pick.

Prizes included gift certificates courtesy of Feathers and Fins Pet and a treat basket for the pets.

Zimmerman said Feathers and Fins also organizes other events that they hold throughout the year for the family and their pets.  They include pictures with Santa Claus, pictures with the Easter Bunny, manicures and pedicures, and hamster races to name a few.  These events are all free to the public and held at Feathers and Fins Pet Store located right on Marine Corp Drive in East Hagatña.

Zimmerman says to check out their Instagram @feathersnfins671 or call the shop at (671) 477-1192 or (671) 472-1190 for more information.

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Shook is bringing the library up to speed with the current millennium. He is one of the designers for the new look of R.F.K. He and his team have transformed it from its classic library feel, a silo of silence for people to study, to what it is today; a hybrid of various degrees of study areas, conference rooms, research tools such as computers and a large collection of books, and a makerspace. 

Shook describes a makerspace as a workspace for learning, exploring and sharing thoughts and ideas that use a wide variety of technologies.

Shook details his role in the evolution of the library and its goals to serve all patrons even those looking for a quitter experience.

“People still make their way to the front desk to complain about the noise levels,” he said.

Shook is taking steps to help mitigate the noise from traveling up to and around the mezzanine and second floors by using the skills that he has picked up from being a musician and music producer.  He is looking into ways to defuse and dampen the stairwells and the conference rooms to help eliminate and reduce the noise from bleeding out.

Shook cannot hide his excitement when speaking about the future of the R.F.K.

Shook explains, ‘There are bigger technological plans for R.F.K., to make it an area where all the people of Guam can come and open their minds to things beyond our shores.”

Shook said that this will be accomplished through researching new technology, digitizing analog materials, and producing digital exhibitions. “

The RFK can serve as a versatile hub where a Business Major seeking a higher degree or a family with children can explore the streets of Japan, Korea, and Taiwan,” Shook said. “A place where a political Science Major could walk the halls of US Congress or British Parliament.”

Shook attributes the success with the new direction to the cohesiveness of the R.F.K. team. He said the leadership has given them the ability to think and be bold, to move not just R.F.K. into the future but as a proactive partner to serve all of UOG.

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