EXPERIENCES

Hello, student body! I am writing in the attempt to solve a pressing issue on our campus: DAF attendance. We love having the “regulars” who attend 372 forums each year (somehow they attend more than are offered…don’t ask me how they do it), but we also love having newcomers! Yes, I’m sure you’re all used to hearing lectures from your advisors and the administration:

“Go to DAF!”

“Make sure you get all your DAF credits!”

“(insert your name here), are you aware that it is FEBRUARY and you have attended ZERO forums?!”

And I know that must be very difficult and annoying for you. BUT you really should visit DAF! Maybe even more than 3 times! And not just because you’re under the threat of having to write an essay if you don’t, but because there are other, positive benefits of coming.

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1. You might make a new friend.

While I’m sure we all love our friends 100% of the time, sometimes it’s good to have other options. At a DAF, you can have the chance to find someone else who shares similar views as you, even if they’re of a different grade, gender, or social circle.

 

2. You might hear a new perspective.

Who knows, you might actually be changed forever by the thoughtful topics DAF leaders put together. You might have an epiphany, sort of a euphoria moment, that alters the course of your life forever. Or, ya know, maybe you’ll just get some new knowledge to rattle around in your brain.

 

3. You get to share YOUR perspective.

You’re entitled to your opinion…any opinion. But come SHARE it at a DAF forum! Believe it or not, we welcome all opinions (and contrary to popular belief, we won’t tar and feather you if you’re a tad ~radical~).

 

4. ALL grades are welcome.

Yes, freshman and seniors, even though you aren’t required to get any credits, we love seeing your beautiful faces at forums. Freshmen: I promise, none of you are going to get shut down or hazed at these forums. They are a safe space…even for you. You don’t even need to know anyone to come: dare to be different. Seniors, while the allure of senior lunch is oh-so-tempting, you can spare a couple of your lunches to come to forums. Plus, they’re free (so you can give your wallet a day off).

 

5. Your teachers might start liking you.

Yes, they are watching you outside of the classroom, and they appreciate participation and awareness of diversity. And maybe soon the day will roll around when you need an extension on a paper, and it would be really handy if you had a teacher that had some mild affection towards you. They aren’t monsters…if you appease them by getting those extra DAF credits.

 

6. The topics are actually pretty interesting.

Your DAF leaders work really hard to find topics to interest the entire student body…and they succeed! Reward their hard work with your attention. I promise, you won’t be bored if you actively participate. Find a club and topic that interest you, then make an effort to attend. Don’t just come because it’s one of the last three of the year; if you pay attention to forum descriptions throughout the year, you can actually enjoy yourself (and DAF leaders won’t have to struggle with your apathy).

 

7. You can spend 40 minutes not stressing about homework.

I know that every lunch, I’m plagued by thoughts of “Oh *%$@, what productive thing can I be doing?!” which leads to me neither being productive nor enjoying my lunch period. So, if you come to a DAF, you’ll get to enjoy your lunch period stress free. Attending a DAF is more productive than thinking/stressing about all the homework you have to do and inevitably not doing it because your friends are so…interesting (**distracting**).

 

8. You can use the information you learn in an essay, debate, or conversation.

Don’t we all like showing off how smart we are? So take advantage of the DAF experience to gain advanced, top level information about socially and politically relevant topics. Once you have all the facts from the latest forum, you can help shatter all those mis-conceptions out there! And since the topics are all so “today,” I’m sure they’ll come in handy when you’re writing something for a class, application, or publication (like the Hook). Knowledge is power, don’t you want to have that power?

 

9. Pack that college resume.

Colleges like a good, socially active citizen of the world. And the prime college candidate is definitely aware of all the social issues at their school and the world. Don’t just attend the DAFs, become an active member of one (or more) of the clubs! Show those colleges you have more to offer than your GPA or sports stats. However, don’t think you can just write your name on a sheet of paper and pass it off as activism. Colleges see right through that B.S.

 

10. (Sometimes there’s food)

Now, don’t quote me on this, but sometimes DAF leaders bring in baked goods for attendees. While we shouldn’t have to bribe you to come, we know that the fastest way to a high schooler’s heart is through their stomach.

 

Hope this has convinced you sufficiently. Come out and cheer us on!