CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Tucson children get acquainted during March's Camp Wildcat at the Southern Pines Baptist Camp atop Mount Lemmon. Camp Wildcat is hosting an auction tomorrow to raise money for their activities.

Poet Angelou to be honored at UA Black Alumni dinner

The UA will honor extraordinary black women and their achievements tonight at the UA Black Alumni's Phenomenal Woman banquet.

This year, three women will be recognized, including Maya Angelou, a world-renowned author, poet, playwright and speaker. Angelou will also give a presentation at the banquet.

More than 650 people from throughout the city and the state are expected to attend, said Tina Johnson, assistant director of development for diversity programs at the UA.

Two other women will also be honored at this year's banquet. A posthumous award will go to Elgie Mike Batteau, a former educator and the first black person on the Pima Community College Board of Governors. Batteau is also believed to be the first black woman to receive a degree from the UA.

Another award will be presented to Wyllstyne Hill, Raytheon Missile Systems' vice president of information technology and chief information officer.

Johnson said the banquet, now in its 22nd year, offers the opportunity for students and other young people to interact with those who are already well established in the community.

"It bridges the people who have started their journey in life and those who have only just begun," Johnson said.

The banquet serves as one of several fundraisers for the UA Black Alumni, which provides 30 to 40 scholarships each year to deserving incoming and current students, Johnson said.

Johnson said every year, anyone is able to nominate black women from throughout the city, state or country they feel is deserving of recognition. A committee then selects the winners, Johnson said.

Director of Campus Recreation Juliette Moore was part of the committee that selected last year's recipients. Moore said the presence of Angelou at the banquet is a huge tribute to the campus and community.

"It's a tremendous honor that she's coming here to our fair city," Moore said. "She's who the award is based on," she said, referencing Angelou's famous poem "Phenomenal Woman."

The sold-out event will be held at the Doubletree Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way, with a reception at 6 p.m. and a dinner at 7 p.m.

- Monica Warren

Camp Wildcat raises $10K for charity

Camp Wildcat is hosting an auction Saturday to raise money to provide cost-free activities for kids from disadvantaged backgrounds in Tucson.

The student-run organization comprises student volunteers who host weekend-long camping trips, a week-long summer camp, day activities and mock camps in the University Medical Center Pediatrics Ward for underprivileged Tucson children.

Students serve as more than camp counselors.

"The volunteers also work to portray college as an attainable goal for everyone regardless of their socioeconomic circumstances," a press release stated.

The ninth annual auction, which is their biggest fundraiser of the year, will be held in the Hotel Congress Ballroom, 311 E. Congress St., the release said.

Some items up for bid include a basketball signed by the 2005 UA men's basketball team, an overnight kayaking trip on Lake Powell, local resort stays, and tickets to the Arizona Opera from more than 50 donors, said Nicole Sanderson, Camp Wildcat fundraising director.

The goal of this year's auction is to raise $10,000 said Sanderson, an interdisciplinary studies sophomore.

Camp Wildcat's other fundraisers include football and basketball concession stands, raffle tickets, T-shirt sales, golf packages and surveys with the Student Union Memorial Center, said Christi Gerstle, Camp Wildcat chairwoman.

The club's yearly budget is about $17,000 said Anna Westendorf, Camp Wildcat treasurer.

The number of kids they can take on camps and how many they can provide throughout the year depends on how much money they raise, said Westendorf, an accounting senior.

To send one child to a weekend camp costs about $50, the press release said.

Student members, parents, the 700 Camp Wildcat alumni, advisers and members of the community are invited to the auction, which includes a dinner, live and silent auctions, raffles, a slideshow, a clown, balloon animals and a string quartet, Sanderson said.

Tickets are $30 per person, $12 for students, and admission is free for student members and donors.

- Danielle Rideau

UA baseball, beach balls and bikinis on national TV Sunday

Beach balls, bikinis and water sports might be spotted on national television Sunday during the Arizona baseball home game.

Zona Zoo is organizing a "Beach Day" promotion during the baseball game against the University of Southern California at Sancet Field, 640 N. National Championship Drive. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN nationally, said Amber Harryman, spirit director of Associated Students of the University of Arizona.

Harryman, a classics junior, said Zona Zoo planned the event, which will feature "beach-themed" activities with water balloons and perhaps kiddie pools, to get students to fill up the stands and show their spirit for the team.

Arizona shortstop Jason Donald said when fans show up to support the team it can make a difference to the players and the game.

"Just to hear people cheer and get excited can really bring momentum to the game," said Donald, a regional development sophomore. "We definitely appreciate when huge crowds come out, it makes it a good time to play."

When asked if fans sporting bikinis would distract any of the players, Donald said it wouldn't be a problem.

"Oh, no" Donald said. "We don't have our heads in the stands, usually. But having the fans there creates a good atmosphere."

The game starts at noon. Full price tickets are $5, and Zona Zoo members get in free.

-Anthony D. Ávila