a mother and daughter spent a weekend fundraising to cure cancer .... we'll tell you how crafty they got to raise the funds. and a campus fundraiser was a smashing success -- we'll tell you what it was for... update news starts right now.

hello and welcome to update news... im michelle rivera. and i'm brandon castillo... thanks for joining us. with thousands of san jose state students graduating in just a few weeks... many will leave school with tens of thousands of dollars in debt. the cost of a higher education has forced many students to worry about how long it will take to pay it all off. jansey lagdamen has the story. " tiffany fadrilan is graduating with a liberal studies degree in may. however, that's not all she's gaining... she will have thousands of dollars in debt from student loans to pay off. i had to get student loans because i pretty much just couldn't afford school. my dad you know he's the one who supports me through school, but he had a lot of bills to pay for like the house and everything. fadrilan has used loans during the five years it took her to complete her undergraduate degree but she is not entirely done with them... she just got accepted into a teaching credential program. the program that i'm applying for is suppose to cover 11,00 to 19000 dollars of my student loans but it depends whether you qualify or not. but some students are not in the same situation.

according to sjsu student advisor, michael randle students should really analyze their educational costs. financing your education is like buying a car buying a house or anything else. you finance a mercedes you are going to have a big car payment, you finance a ford escort, your payment will probably not be that much. there are ways to avoid student loan debt. if i had a plan for paying it off , then what i would've done is i would've graduated from college i would've moved back home my first year, i would just work that first year save my money and just pay the loan off. but for students like fadrilan, the accumulation of student debt for an education is well worth it. in the long run i don't think i regret my student loans because i know i'll be being a teacher, i'll be helping out kids and doing what i love."

school debt can take decades to pay off ... but it can be done. president obama and his wife paid off their student loans just eight years ago. with graduation around the corner students may be wondering if this economy can provide them with the career they've dreamed of. the career center hosted a workshop to teach students how to find a job in this economy with over 3-million students graduating in the united states being prepared is just one step students can do to get noticed by companies employment specialist jill klees says it won't be easy -- but a career is possible. " sure there's competition, there's lots of people looking for jobs but there's opportunity there. so if you position yourself properly and market yourself properly, then you're going to get a job." during the workshop --- klees reinforced practical job search strategies to be successful in today's changing economy. there are many preconceived notions about islam and muslims, but is it all true? students attended an event on campus focused on the stereotyping of islam and muslims. the s-j spirit group hosted the islam and muslims: myths vs. truth event at the student union on tuesday to address the issue.

the event was lead by professor of arabic and middle eastern studies awad awad. " the biggest misconception they have is again it depends who you ask in what area. some of the questions that i get are as ignorant as do muslims worship the moon god which they don't obviously." the event started off with students making a list of ideas they had about islam and muslims, which were then further explained by professor awad. then the students discussed topics such as islamic beliefs, culture and history. imagine losing the ability to communicate with practically everyone around you. for one african refugee... it is now his reality. jessica savage has the story. " (nat sound of raymond speaking) raymond djasrabe is trying to find his own american dream. "i want to own my own house where my brother and i can live together." the problem is djasrabe's situation is rarer than that of most refugees... so buying a home could be difficult.

"i haven't seen a case like raymond umm for one thing just the language barrier is huge." he can only speak sango... the primary language of the central african republic... his native country. (nat sound of raymond and the translator talking) outside of it... a very small percentage of people speak it in the world. (nat sound of ari and raymond walking to the car) he says he wants to branch out and learn english to be as independent as possible. ari spalding is djasrabe's case manager and says learning english will benefit him greatly. "my goal is to find permanent, long term community, friendships umm support for raymond." but in the meantime... spalding is putting together a community of sango speakers for raymond to make him feel comfortable in this transition period. and even though djasrabe knows he must ajust to this new world he lives in... he plans on returning to africa... but only after he finds a job in america. in san jose jessica savage update news."

a local mother and daughter are using their arts and crafts creations to raise awareness about their fight against cancer. vanessa and cecilia jauregui (how-re-ghee) crafted ribbon lei's, hair bows and head bands to sell at a watsonville arts and crafts fair last week . half of the proceeds collected will be donated to the relay for life foundation. the jauregui's are no strangers to the fight against cancer they've participated in many events to raise money toward the fight. last year they raised over six thousand dollars during an overnight event held at watsonville high school where they were among the top donors. " sound byte: we're just trying to promote that cancer never sleeps and anyone can get it so why not push for the cause." anyone can join the fight against cancer simply go to relay for life dot-org and find an event near you. a san jose state fraternity -- sponsored a fundraiser ... that was a smashing success sigma lambda beta held a car smash to raise money for their leadership conference in tampa. most students on campus jumped at the opportunity to pay a buck to smash a car. each person picked their weapon of choice and got to swinging.

" joshua brennan: "right now everybody is taking midterms, they have finals coming up, there writing papers, good ten seconds they don't think its a lot but when your taking those swings it takes out a lot of frustration out of you."" the frat bought the car from local auto wrecker pick-n-pull. after the students demolished the car -- pick-n-pull bought it back for the same price to support the fundraising effort. gentlemen start your engines ... because we've got a student on campus who knows a thing or two behind the wheel. " nat sot up full imagine hearing the engines and the cheers of diehard race fans every weekend. well this is all a reality for shane golobic. golobic is a third years engineering student at san jose state. this twenty-year old has always been interested in cars and that made his choice of major very easy. shane golobic: " i know that engineers work on cars and design them so i've always kind of just had that interest as a kid i would always take apart hot wheels or take apart different

things and use legos to try to design cool things. so i guess engineering just kind of suited me." this is the first year golobic has been with the "get some" sports team racing in the number-9 car. before that his parents were footing his racing bills. that's why getting the backing of car owner steve osbourne, makes racing more enjoyable for the golobic family. osbourne said even though golobic is juggling his college career and racing he wouldn't have anyone else driving his car. steve osbourne: "shane works on the car when he's not studying or not at school. he's at the shop cleaning it, building it dynoing the shocks, whatever he's got to do to go race on the weekends. so it's been an awesome team and i wouldn't do it without him." last friday, the get some sports team prepared for a night race at ocean speedway, in watsonville. golobic raced against 20 of the best 360 sprint car drivers in california including some well known veterans like brent and bud kaeding. this young racer showed he's a force to be rekoned with. midway through the race number-nine passed up kaeding for the lead. but after a caution -- golobic moved back to third for the final finish ... shane golobic: " all in all i was happy, we ended up third behind the two kaeding boys so i mean we can't complain."

as for the future ... golobic says he hopes to move beyond the sprint car circuit. shane golobic:" of course i have dreams to go to nascar that'd be awesome but i am also happy just doing this on the weekends and going to school and getting my education."" golobic plans on graduating in two years with an engineering degree and hopes to keep cars apart of his life in his future career. still ahead on update news... a timely photo exhibit takes on the subject of same sex marriage... seekers of a game made famous in a popular book and movie series found it in a real-life tournament... we'll take you there. and later in sports ... we'll have all the details on san jose state's big move to the mountain west. but first... we ask students what their plans for summer are. " i'm gonna be working part time and then on weekends gonna go do some hiking, kiaking and just anything out doors. this summer i'm gonna be working with the mcnairs scholars program in a reaserch project that i came up with.t

this summer i had planned on going with my family to el salvador we haven't taken a trip in six years so we are planning on going there. i'm planning on going to my home state of pennsylvania and visit my ninety year old mother. i'm going to disneyland disney's california adventure and universal studios. i really don't have anything...no nothing...that's it. alright man thank you." ratemyprofessor-dot-com is a website that allows to grade their a website that allows students to grade their students on helpfulness. he thinks it's useless. >> when you walk in to marty freeman's class, first impressions don't necessarily mean everything. >> if students want to know

about me, they should come ask me, come talk to me. >> the computer science professor grew tired of using ratemyprofessor.com. the catch, even though some reviews are favorable, most are terrible. >> as long as they allow anyone to post whatever they want, i'm going to do that. >> he said things like laziest professors i have ever seen, not recommended, and don't take him, you will waste your time. notice the misspelling to pass as a student. one semester posted a review every other class period. >> i posted more bad reviews than good reviews because i wanted to see how low i could get my rating. >> his goal is to get to know people on personal levels, not on the computer screen. >> if you want to know someone, you talk to that

professor or contractor. >> his students especially have a hard time with this because how often they use a computer. every single day. in san jose, ryan kirk, update news. mya. >> we have a lot going on, let's get started. with president obama announcing his support for same-sex marriage, a unique exhibit of photographs, photographs of a pregnant woman, a homosexual couple, and a family that is holding a sign that says legalized gay. one of its teachers offered a definition of what love is supposed to be. it was a definition he says did not include same-sex couples. >> i was mostly upset by the

fact that she discounted a lot of people in making this statement. >> the exhibit will be open to the public until may 28 at the martin luther king jr. library on campus. over 16 00 participants ran for its annual mud run. this exciting event by enthusists and novice runners, sanchez has the story. >> the 5k run was spread over undeveloped terrain that was transformed into 3.2 miles of mud pits and rope climbing. organizers say this activity was for more than just for fun. they teamed up with the make a wish foundation. the venue and multiloop course was perfect for spectators and created a fun opportunity to cheer on friends and family.

participants ran the brutal stretch, facing 11 obstacle courses, like the wall climb, a giant slip and slide and cargo rope up and over. only then to face the mud pit, where participants dove head furs to the finish line. >> after being up all day and great ac tuffty in the local area. good energy, and just wanted to get out and get active. >> participants gathered with friends and family to celebrate their finish while others scurried to the makeshift showers to wash off mud, which was caked on from head to toe. participant says this run was more personal for him and he can't wait for the next mud run. >> it was a personal challenge for me. next year we are hopefully doing this. hopefully we get a bigger crowd. we know what to expect now, it was fun. >> what better way than to

spend a fun-filled day playing in the mud. that's what these participants did today. update news. the museum of art is feet featuring the art of frank. his art is known for its vibrant colors. not only provides visitors with amazing paintings, delivering personal message, but a unique way of using space. >> the art is personal. it's about his experiences as an artist and as a person and his art is really expressing those things about his life. >> most of his paintings do not have titles and are often dated from the day he started and finished each piece. leads tourists at the museum. >> i find there are many things going on. people find more and more

things going on as they look at and talk about it. there's a rich background of art going on. >> the museum holds a variety of paintings from 1960s to 1990s, such as the set red painted in 1962 and 1963, which have been published in many places and marked two transition points in his work. >> his early work was filled with ghoulish, ghost-like forms. they were reactions to experiences in world war ii. it shows the evolution of space and how he handled space in his paintings. >> for more information, visit san jose museum of art. when you think, the first thing that comes to mind is harry potter. for adults who take it seriously, it takes them to have a good sport.

the tournament -- a major tournament that drew college teams from around the state. >> original league competed at stanford university. eight teams in the region of an internet quiz competition competed. ranging from the my migets. >> it took more thought. something the students brought together and it's extremely entertaining. >> based off the harry potter series. picture dodge ball, basketball, hockey, all in one. the competition started. >> we came out here today to mostly have fun, but it's a good moral to win your first

match of the day. >> the team, the group worked to defeat their next opponent, stanford. the team swept stanford on the playing field. >> my strategy was really big defense and keeping defenders from getting the bawl. it's no so much as i can get it. >> in the end, not just a serious sport, but growing network of family and friends. >> not only it's an intense sport to play, but it has a family community. you have a lot of people challenging long distances to be with other people. >> not win the cup, they are proud of what they accomplished. update news. >> break out the flip-flops and sunscreen because summer is just around the corner. on wednesday, this week on campus offering food and drinks to keep students cool in this

warm weather. the fair attracted students looking to figure out free treats and get their picture taken with the bunny. >> free food, games, raffles. this is to kick off the spring semester. we want to give them a farewell. >> students stocked up on energy drinks to keep them awake during finals. this event is one of many that the shop continues to sponsoring. that's all for arts and entertaining, back to you. coming up in sports, say good-bye. we'll give you all the details. >> and paris takes a deeper look at a sports related brain injury in light of junior seau's suicide. but first, we have tips for finals. a study tip would be

>> don't procrastinate. that's the worst thing you can do. >> just you get them every semester. >> i know me personally, i read all the chapter reviews at the end of the >> meet up with people in your class. don't do it alone. people in your class know what is going on and they tend to have ideas and stuff that you don't. >> don't stress. take your time, relax, and i would say concentrate on classes that you know and have a difficult time studying and doing good in. >> don't wait until the last day to study. study the whole week before, it not, if not, i don't know. >> ed is here with sports. big news.

>> spartans will be reaching new heights. possibly the biggest news to come out of spartan athletics in more than a decade. san jose state will join the mountain west conference next year. here's a look at what the ending will mean. after much speculation for the fate, all questions were finally put to rest. >> today is an exciting day for spartan athletics and for san jose university. i'm pleased to announce we accepted an invitation to join the mountain west conference. >> the announcement a week ago came after weeks of uncertainty. where they saw former elect director depart for the university of memphis and utah state jumping aboard the mountain west as well. and with the western athletic conference spiraling after the recent loss to boise state,

hawaii, fresno state, and nevada, it was important for san jose state to find some stable ground. >> kids ask you what conference you're going to be in and so now that we know, we are in the mountain west and we'll play there and it's a traditional conference and here we go, we're excited about that. >> with the recent edition of women's outdoor track. 14 of the ncaa division one programs will compete. with added recognition not only on a regional prospective, but a national one. added resources could -- however, this isn't just a significant boost for athletics, but also the every day student. >> more and more students will know about us and look at san jose state. simply joining the mountain west cannot be the goal. perform on a higher level to

truly have its impact felt. >> we reach this particular milestone. the journey thought there's a lot more that needs to be done. accomplish all of our future goals. >> looking ahead for the mountain west conference, conference u.s.a. are talking about a possible merger, which recently added charlotte, florida international, and san antonio. however, the mountain west statement mentioned the two conferences did synchronize their edition. next woke, the men's golf team will look to add on what has been an unforgettable season. coming off their first ever championship and first conference title since 1996, the spartans are hoping to keep the momentum going as they head to regionals, but san jose state will have no easy task as they will be up against cal and stanford. although they are ranked 12th out of 13 teams in the stanford regional. winning is the only goal. >> it's nice to win a

conference, trust me, it's nice to be at regionals, but the goal is to be national champion. that's what we are focused on. >> regionals will take place at the par 7 golf course. it will be the second time this season spartans played at this course. some say football is getting soft, it's no longer a physical sport like it used to be. in light of junior seau's suicide, the medical side of the game is under review. >> it sparked the question of whether football is to blame. the future hall of famer played in the nfl for twenty years, making over 1500 tackles. experts say it takes a toll on the body, especially the brain. >> you are going to have a deterioration of the brain from the number of hits. that does occur. and i think they are going to be showing that in the future

with more of the research they are doing on the brains of people that played football for a number of years. >> concussions involve the brain being jolted back and forth. the same contact players make every game. according to the centers for disease control, reported concussions among youth athletes, including football, increase by 60%. some players say football is football. you have to know what you signed up for. >> keep the game the way it is. i think they take it overboard with some of the hits in the nfl. it's a rough game, it's not for everybody, but you know, it's football. we all know what comes with it. >> many players ignore signs that should keep them on the sidelines. shaw says they should consider the long-term health risks. >> we are concerned about looking at the big picture the rest of their life. making sure we are doing all we can to prevent significant injuries that will protect

them. >> junior seau's family decided to donate his brain to research on football. with this help and others, medical professionals are hoping. paris maxi, update news. >> back to you guys. >> thanks, edwin. for the past 12 weeks, we brought you the latest breaking and featured news on campus. we reached the end of our season. >> here's a look behind the scenes of highlights and not so highlight highlights. >> hello and welcome to update news. i'm jamie. >> i'm keith bryant. >> i'm brandon. >> i'm sanchez. >> i'm michelle rivera. thanks for joining us.

>> after one year and 28 days, mohommed is president of stu. >> forced to turn away local students for the first time ever. >> that short time, she got a lot of attention. >> getting excited for spartan football. >> well, you should. >> professor nichols. >> >> hi. sorry about target. i'm a broadcast journalist.

>> secretary, never do live shots. >> thanks for being in my role. >> i let you be in my roll dude, again. that will do it for this show and this season of update news. thanks for watching and supporting us all season. >> we'll be back in the fall. until then, you can check us out on facebook. on behalf of michelle, myself, and everyone in the cast and crew, thanks again, have a great summer and we'll see you again in the fall.