There are many inquiries as to the people who occupy the three stone tables under the tree in Bakersfield College’s Campus Center quad.
The group seemed reluctant to welcome someone else at first, but then the conversation began to flow. They began talking about who they were and why they occupy those three tables, “We gather here to form a family. We have the same personalities, dress, language, and ideas. We are considered being the outcasts and have been kicked out of groups who are deemed to be the norm,” according to James Reese, culinary arts student and spokesperson of “the family.”
The people under that tree are students at BC. Many of the students feel that they are being singled out, ostracized and pigeonholed. “We are sometimes loud, dress gothic, and love certain types of music, and love life as it is minus the stress and aggravation it can bring. We are being judged, and criticized by people who have no knowledge of who we are,” said Reese. Many of the students mentioned their majors.
According to Amy Smith, “I have a triple major of forestry, animal science and agriculture business. I’ll be transferring to CSU, Northridge.” Jason O’otto and Emily Davenport “have chosen criminal justice.” In the medical field, the group boasted Jessica Prescott in nursing, Nita Martin in pediatrics, and Samantha Wheeler in sign language.
For a possible stage act of the future, Sara Tielsch has chosen theater arts, and Loren Miller said she is a physics major.
There are two “family” members, Nathan Wilson “without a major,” and Noemi Angel “taking general studies.” The last “family” members are Josh Gorman and Wayne White, who stated that, “They were visiting friends of the family,” and Heather Barnes, who said she came to BC to “check out a few classes.” Other students have certain perceptions of the “family.”
According to Stephanie Medina, “I talk to them. They are a little different. They hang out here all day. I don’t have time to hang out; I have a job.” Samantha Coston said, “Only high school kids would think like that. Most people are individuals who prefer not to be in a clique or group. I have no problem talking to them one on one, when I see them in my class. Their group is too large to approach. It is a little intimidating.”
“There are cliques all over this campus, small and large. There is no need for cliques. Cliques are for the needy. I think their group is a carryover from high school. I think that they just like that tree,” said Josh Hicks.
“I talk to them all the time. I think that they are nice. Every one is different, and prefer their own group,” said Jasmine Blue.
Regardless of all the complaints, the consensus is that this is a public place. According to Don Turney, BC dean of students, “There has only been one or two times a semester that I had to ask the group under the tree to quiet down.
As far as anyone wanting to occupy those tables under that tree, it is first come, first served. There are other places and trees on this campus.”