Alexandra Lozano
Staff Writer
The Latino Student Forum has a plethora of events planned this semester that are designed to celebrate and promote awareness of Latino culture and heritage.
“The Latino Student Forum is a good support group for Latinos and Hispanics,” LSF President Sholeh Gaviria said.
On Sunday, April 17, the Forum will combine its 16th annual Bienvenida dinner, banquet and dance with the University of La Verne Latino Alumni Association’s third annual Bienvenida Tarteada. The name of this new event will be announced by executive board members of LSF and the LAA at the ceremony.
LSF is also planning a Cinco de Mayo Social with the Latino Alumni Association and the Chicano/Latino Faculty and Staff Association on campus. This event, possibly a barbeque, will help create a “better networking system” between the three groups.
Towards the end of May, LSF will volunteer its time with the Latino Graduation ceremonies sponsored by the Institute for Multicultural Research and Campus Diversity.
“We’re a big group of friends,” Gaviria said.
The Forum also held its Cesar Chavez Day celebration last Thursday.
Some of the members participated in a play by El Teatro Campesino (The Farm Workers’ Theater).
The event featured an open mic session, which was available to those who wanted to speak about Cesar Chavez Day and what it represented for them. The Latino Student Forum also handed out key chains and buttons at the event.
The Forum makes each of its weekly meetings not only an opportunity for members to have lunch together but also a chance to think about their culture.
In the first half of the meeting, Gaviria brings in an article relating to the Latin community. In the second half of the meeting, the club discusses the events taking place in the world around them.
One of the Latino Student Forum’s main goals is to provide advocacy and education for those in the Latin/Hispanic communities.
The club also hopes to bring unity within the forum and provide service in the community and on campus.
The Latino Student Forum meets on Wednesdays in the West Dining Room from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Alexandra Lozano can be reached at himeloano@juno.com.
