UCLA alumni kick off new year of programming

Newly admitted UCLA students pose with Joe Bruin at the annual New Student Send-Off last week.

DOWNEY -- The Southeast L.A. Bruins held their annual New Bruin Send-Off Celebration on Aug. 23 at the St. John Bosco High School campus, an annual event where local Bruin families come together across the world to celebrate the UCLA community as they send off the newest incoming students.  

The event was marked by a special guest appearance by Joe Bruin, the official mascot of UCLA.  Nearly 60 local alumni and newly admitted students and their families joined together to celebrate the special occasion. 

“The event is special to both incoming students and alumni, as it helps cultivate a sense of community: a Bruin community,” said Downey attorney Ricardo Perez, who serves as the group's vice president.  

The send-off officially kicked off a new year of programming for the alumni group, which includes football viewing parties, holiday mixers, volunteering events, and other programs. 

The UCLA football season begins this Saturday, Sept. 5, at 12:30 pm when the Bruins face the Virginia Cavaliers.  Downey’s Joseph’s Bar & Grill has agreed to host the Southeast L.A. Bruins for the entire football season.

Bruin alumni and friends are encouraged to attend these viewing parties where they will be surrounded by a friendly fan base.  In addition to a UCLA theme, including 8-clap cheers, Joseph’s Bar & Grill has also agreed to donate 15% of the proceeds to UCLA. 

On Oct. 14, the Southeast Bruins will be hosting a “Welcome to Downey” event.  Local UCLA Alumni will be provided a brief history of Downey by UCLA alumnus Mario Guerra and former Downey mayor Kirk Cartozian. The group will then screen “Discover Downey” at Stay Gallery before being treated to a tour of Porto’s Bakery by UCLA alumna Betty Porto.

The Southeast Bruins is recognized officially as the regional chapter of the Alumni Association of the University of California, Los Angeles (known as "UCLA"), and is known officially as the UCLA Alumni Los Angeles Southeast Network. For questions about the group or a specific event, contact Ricardo Perez at rperez@alumni.ucla.edu.