First Final Four

As a new UCLA UARS staff member, I have recently experienced many 'firsts', two of which I would like to share with you.  One of my responsibilities as Senior Editor is to assist with coordinating the assembly and mailing of all the admissions packets and letters to over 55,000 applicants. To say the least, this is no small task.  I undoubtedly had little understanding in the beginning how many people are involved in guaranteeing that all applicants receive proper notification.  Further, the pride that goes into the process has been inspiring to observe. From the applicant readers pouring over each application with extreme precision and dedication to the staff coordinating all the materials, I have been impressed at every stage.

Another first has been the excitement of seeing the UCLA basketball team advancing to the Final Four.  This is a first for me because I did not attend UCLA as a student and only recently moved to Los Angeles.  However, the enthusiasm of the Bruin family is undeniably contagious.  Yesterday, UCLA fans gathered along Bruin Walk to send-off the Men's Basketball team (http://uclabruins.cstv.com/view.gal?id=26563&template=player_gallery). There certainly was not a shortage of UCLA paraphernalia in the crowd.

This coming weekend (Saturday, April 5 at 3:00 p.m. PT and hopefully Monday, April 7 at 6:15 p.m. PT) thousands of UCLA students, alumni, faculty and staff, and Bruin fans will gather to watch the Men's Basketball play in their third consecutive Final Four appearance, compete for their 12th NCAA National Championship, and win the 101st NCAA championship for UCLA.  The stakes are high and the energy is intense—what a treat to observe such sportsmanship and excitement fan in my first few months at UCLA!