When two worlds clash

The allure of a safe environment and an adult atmosphere draws high school students to recreation center

By Allison Bethurem

The bell rings and students dash out of their classrooms. For high school students throughout Fresno, the weekend plans are just around the corner.

Many of them head to the movies or to the mall, but one main attraction is Fresno State’s recreation center, whether Fresno State students like it or not.

The recreation center is where these underage students can find an adult atmosphere without the adult privileges.

The black lights are turned on, the jukebox is blaring and Friday night is just getting started. But instead of alcohol, bowling shoes are handed over.

The recreation center provides high school students and other residents looking for a fun safe place to go.

“It is a safe environment that is kid-friendly,” said Judy Aguilar, who brought her 7-year-old son to see the excitement of the night last Friday. “There is no alcohol for the kids to be tempted with, and it is just good fun.”

A safe haven for high school students to enjoy leaves parents without fear or concern. But some Fresno State students feel the high schoolers are not mature enough to be on a college campus, day or night.

“It is sometimes hard to tell the Fresno State freshmen from the high school seniors,” said Debra Mattios, a student who works at the recreation center. “But there is a definite maturity difference. College students don’t yell and scream all over the place.”

The University High School students who make their way into the Recreation Center on their lunch break are more of a nuisance than the students who come out at night, said Craig Holt, a student who is also an employee at the recreation.

“At lunch, all of the tables are full of loud high school students, and they stick out like a sore thumb,” Holt said. “We go to college to get away from high school, not so we can be surrounded by it again.”
When the two worlds of high school and college clash, there is not much to do except stay with each other and make the best out of the situation.

Last Friday night, Mailee Lor and cousin Chu Lor, both seniors at Fresno High, were standing next to each other shyly eyeing their surroundings. These 16-year-olds appeared out of place in their heels and miniskirts, but they were just there to have fun.

“On weekends when there’s nothing to do, we come here to just hang out,” Mailee said. “We actually play pool and bowl, we don’t normally stand here.”

Hovering around the jukebox was 15-year-old Thomas Jenkins and his three friends from Hoover High, who walked to campus from their houses.

“We like to just kick it here,” Jenkins said. “River Park is too far, and we like the college girls.”

These high school students seemed innocent enough. They just stayed to themselves most of the time.
Later in the evening, the Lor cousins were sitting at a table, and the young boys at the jukebox were standing against the wall watching college girls play pool.

The recreation center is a place that attracts everyone, including parents. Students have a place to go without their parents worrying about them. Most of all, it is a fun and exciting place to go.

“The prices are cheap and the place is safe,” said Dave Tonel, an employee at the front desk. “It’s the new River Park. Forget Edwards, those are old shoes no one wears anymore. This is the place to be.”