Day at UA teaches girls about goals

Katherine K. Gardiner Arizona Daily Wildcat KUAPD Officer Dan Mallory slaps handcuffs on fourth-grader Suzannah Herron in fun while mom Jan, a teacher in the Center for English as a Second Language, and friend Lili Szabo laugh during "Daughters on Campus Day '97" festivities on the Mall yesterday.

"It's kind of neat because we're missing school, but we're going to school too," said 8-year-old Lee-Ann Starr. Lee-Ann and her sister, 7-year-old Marlina Delisa, attended the event with their mother, Monica Delisa, director of development for the College of Nursing.

Girls between 5 and 17 years old participated from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in events that ranged from sexual harassment presentations to sun observations in the Steward Observatory as well as a dance presentation by Ballet Hispanico of New York.

"This is an opportunity for them to continue their education beyond what is expected of them," said Jennifer Aviles, program coordinator for "Daughters on Campus Day '97" and administrative associate for Human Resources. UA's event is a version of the national "Take Our Daughters to Work Day," which is sponsored by the Ms. Foundation for Women.

"We hope this day helps them see beyond the roles that are traditionally female," Aviles said.

Registration for the day's 35 events occurred from 8 a.m. to noon on the UA Mall.

Aviles said 500 gift bags prepared for the girls were gone within the first 30 minutes of registration. She said the bags included T-shirts, shoelaces, pencils, pens and water bottles.

The fourth annual "Daughters on Campus Day" had twice as many events as last year.

The event is getting increasingly popular, Aviles said.

Marlina said she "sort of" liked this year's events better than last year's. She said her favorite event was the Marine and Desert Discovery because she dissected a squid.

"My favorite subject in school is science," Marlina said.

Monica Delisa said involving daughters in activities on the university is a great idea.

"I like exposing them to the diversity of the campus," she said.

In addition to the gift bags, the daughters received a lunch ticket for an Eegee's Sandwich or slice of Domino's pizza, Aviles said.

The children ate lunch on the UA Mall with their parents while listening to Mariachi music and meeting Wilma the Wildcat and members of the UA soccer team.

Female firefighters were also present to display their firetrucks to the girls.

The day was sponsored by 20 organizations, including the Arizona State Savings and Credit Union, the Commission on the Status of Women and Creative Costumes.

UA's Commission on the Status of Women and Diversity Action Council coordinated the events, Aviles said. She said they raised $2,500, which was "probably more than we needed with all of the donations."

Nancy Adamo said she cherished the time she spent with her daughter, Jenna Adamo, 13.

"It's a great experience. It gives her an idea about what she wants to do," Adamo said. "I've enjoyed going around and looking at everything as much as she did."

The Adamos were sponsored by their neighbor, a university employee.

"It also gives a lot of girls a chance to see college," she said.