S.A. Astatine

March 12th came time for our annual gala! This year we had the pleasure of sharing this festivity with S.A. Proto and S.G. Daedalus. Together with the three associations we had an amazing night. The evening was kicked of by the chairman with a quick-step opening dance. Nerve-racking as this may be, they sure did not show it. Quickly other dancers stepped in showing their eagerness to party. Soon after the Isotopes took the stage. They showed of their repertoire, containing songs such as Whole Lotta Rosie and Mr. Brightside. Their headline talent shone throughout the show. Skreeuw! then took the stage with their own excellence. The DJ was enjoyed less, but that only gave time for everyone to rigorously test the photographer’s skills and the rigidity of the photobooth. We have never before seen so many people held up at so many angles. When time came to close down, you can bet yourself that the party did not stop yet. A large entourage went on to the Friends to continue for one, or in some cases a little more than one, more drink. Sadly, nobody decided to use the pole, but that can be improved next year. We want to thank everyone that made such an amazing gala possible. Let’s make the next gala even better!

The 20th board of S.A. Astatine was formally constituted on September 12th, 2024. The 19th board of S.A. Astatine was thanked for their board year and dismissed, whereafter the following six members were tasked in leading the association into another amazing year! This all happened at the annual change GA which, as is the norm, lasted well into the night.

• Jasper Bloemsma – Chairman
• Bram Hoernig – Secretary
• Koen Verhoeven – Treasurer
• Hanne Zoglmann – Commissioner of educational affairs
• Lieke Hendriks – Commissioner of external affairs
• Len Versteeg – Commissioner of internal affairs

L.R.T.B: Hanne Zoglmann, Jasper Bloemsma, Koen Verhoeven, Lieke Hendriks, Len Versteeg and Bram Hoernig

We are overjoyed to announce our newest Member of Merit: Laura Rodriguez Comas!!🥳

Last week, during the 51st GA Laura was unanimously voted to become a Member of Merit due to her continued activism and the work she put into Astatine. What Laura has done for the association is near-impossible to put into words, but we will try it anyway:

Laura made sure that every single member of Astatine always felt included, especially international members. She pushed for English to become the primary language of Astatine, and still is the first in a group to yell ‘spiegel’. Laura was a part of the 14th Board and during this year she never shied away from starting up new initiatives and making sure everyone felt at home at Astatine. After her board year, Laura put much effort into the continuity of the association. She joined many committees as an experienced member and joined the RvA to help newer boards out. During COVID-19 Laura’s motivation and enthusiasm was a vital factor in Astatine’s survival during this period.

If you see Laura around give her a big thank you, as without her Astatine would not be as it is today.🧡

On the 27th of June, we visited ETC & Urenco to see what future jobs for our students could look like. Together with C.T.S.G. Alembic, we boarded the bus with a total of 32 students and left just before lunch for Almelo. Once we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by ETC, and a luxurious lunch was served. The day began! After lunch, we received a presentation about ETC and their partners/daughter companies. This presentation was accompanied by a tour of their facilities, guided by highly skilled engineers who could provide insights into every aspect, from carbon rollers to electron beam welding. They have it all.

After the tour, we had a closing presentation and then headed to Urenco. At Urenco, they demonstrated how they enrich uranium using ETC gas centrifuge technology. By utilizing these well-designed technologies, Urenco supplies approximately 25% of the worldwide demand for nuclear power plant fuel. The day concluded after a tour of their facilities. It was amazing to witness the precision and care with which they handle all the radioactive materials. From taking good care of their employees to conducting numerous safety checks, Urenco ensures a safe environment for facilitating a greener future.