By: Nickool Castro, Aitana Ruilova Castro and Ruben Rozo The Latin American Student Organization hosted their 2nd General Body Member (GBM) yesterday, October 31st, during Common Hour in DAC Coffeehouse. The theme, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), was quite a success. More than 60 Lasitos were in attendance. “We chose to do Día de los Muertos as our GBM because we stress the importance of celebrating the cultures within LASO,” Magdaline Hurtado, president of L.A.S.O., said. “We wanted to bring awareness to this specific day as well since it is put aside due to Halloween.” In this GBM, LASO had a presentation on the origins of Dia de los Muertos; explaining how people in different countries like Mexico, Guatemala, and Ecuador celebrate it, and how is it celebrated in the US. As well as, paper sugar skulls where people could make their own masks and refreshments such as elotes and cupcakes. “We strived to bring people together while teaching both Latinos and non Latinos a little more about the cultural significance of Día de los Muertos,” Natalie Chacon, Chair of the Event Planning Committee, said. “We also made it relevant that Dia de los Muertos is not just celebrated in one country like Americans are made to believe.” “We spoke about the different countries that celebrate the day, the significance, and how they differ from each other,” she added. Dia de los Muertos is a holiday celebrated in central and southern Mexico along with other Latin American countries during November 1 & 2. This coincides with All Soul's & All Saint’s Day, the indigenous people combined their own ancient beliefs of honoring those who passed away. “We also accomplished something that hasn't been done in a while,” Adriana Gallardo, Secretary of LASO, said. “This was getting a comfortable enough environment with our members, in which they got up and danced at the end. That was one of the great accomplishments that came through this GBM.” Many Lasitos (if not all) had an amazing afternoon filled with activities and tremendous fun. “I thought it was very entertaining and that we all were able to dance and the food was good,” one Lasito said excitedly. “I was struggling to find a social group and I found it with them,” added the 19 year old Colombian- Venezuelan, when asked why he joined LASO. Another Lasito said, “Its dope! The food and music was great, the president is a great host!” Event thought, the Latin American Student Organization exists to advance Latino/Hispanic awareness within the St. John’s University community by providing cultural, social and community service activities, many Lasitos feel L.A.S.O. is more than an organization. “LASO is not only about bringing awareness to Latin culture but also about creating a familia with our members,” Chacon said. “and making sure they feel welcome with us, which is why we like to bring a little fun & excitement at our GBMs.
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By: Nickool Castro The Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in collaboration with the Latin American Student Organization held its annual event Passport to Dominican Republic on October 11 at 6:00 p.m. in Marillac Terrace. The purpose of this event is to bring awareness of the Latino culture on campus. “It gives people an insight, or at least an attempt of what that culture is like,” Irving Marino, 23, Alumni of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc. said. “Two years ago we did Brazil, and last year we did Colombia.” The Brothers of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc. holds its annual passport event to expose the Latino culture to the St. Johns Community. This year they chose the Dominican Republic. During the event, they hosting traditional dance workshop such as bachata and merengue as well as distributed typical Dominican dishes just as Mangu con Salami. “The food was delicious,” Ruben Rozo, 19, Accounting major said. “I had a great time dancing bachata.” “My best friend is Dominican,” the Lasito added. “She is always talking about Mangu and salami. I finally had the opportunity to taste it.” The passport event started 10 years ago with the Brothers of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc., in which they hosted The Passport event during the Latino Heritage Month. “The Latin American student organization has been one of the most consistent benefactors of Latino culture and advancement on campus,” Carlos Collado, vice- president of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., said. “Their commitment to latinidad has made them a no question choice for collaboration.” The Latin American Student Organizations exists to advance Latino/Hispanic awareness within the St. John’s University community by providing cultural, social and community service activities. The Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. mission is to develop leaders and create innovative ways to unite the Latino Community. They do this by providing social, cultural programs and activities geared towards the appreciation, promotion and preservation of Latin American culture. “I hope that next year that not many people now about countries such as Bolivia, Panama, Paraguay or Uruguay,” Marino said. By: Nickool Castro St. John’s held its annual University Service Day (USD) on Sept. 24, marking its 15th anniversary. The USD usually takes place the third or fourth week of September during the Founder’s Week in remembrance of Saint Vicent DePaul, whose teachings emphasize respect for the individual, service to the needy, and human solidarity that deeply influences the University’s Vincentian Mission. Founder’s Week was established in 1995. Originally, it took place during January but since 2012 it has been held during the week of St. Vincent’s death on Sept.27. According to the St. John’s Office of Mission website, an average of over 2,000 volunteers serve over 100 locations throughout New York City annually. Undergraduates, graduates and alumni had the opportunity to serve the 5 boroughs. More than 65 locations were listed on SJU Mission Service website such as Silver Park Conservatory in Staten Island, St. Jude Walk at Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan, St. Joseph Elementary School in the Bronx and Catholic Charities: Berry Streets in Brooklyn. After picking up their T-shirts that stated “What A Difference A Day Can Make,” students gathered and departed to their designated locations. This was the case of sophomore TV and Film major, Jole Colachagua. Colachagua volunteered with the Latin American Student Organization at St. Mary's Recreation Center in the Bronx under the program Kids Enjoy Exercises Now (KEEN). KEEN helps kids with disabilities by providing free, non-competitive one-to-one programs of exercise, fitness and fun, led by volunteer coaches. He was assigned a child named Omar, who he spent the day with. “This was my first experience having real contact with children with special needs,” Colachagua said, “Omar greeted me with his head tucked in his shirt, unwilling to say hi to me and my partner.” Colachagua explained that after taking Omar to the gym and playing with him, the child got comfortable and opened up more to him. “Omar went from not wanting to say hi to us, to letting me hold his hand, giving him piggy back rides, and giving high fives every time he was playing well,” the TV&Film major said. “It felt like I was playing with a little brother I always wanted, throwing him a baseball and watching him hit it,” the young sophomore said. “It was a great experience, and I hope Omar appreciated it as much as I did.” Cristina Villon was another student whose experience at KEEN was unforgettable. “My KEEN experience was something I will never forget,” Villon said. “There were times that I forgot AJ had disabilities because in my eyes, he was just like any kid who enjoys playing tag, cooking and making new friends.” “It’s knowing that you are making a kid’s day even by the simple actions,” The event committee associate said. “I will forever be thankful to AJ because he taught me you’re never too old to enjoy a game of tag.” Unlike Colachagua and Villon, Jose Galvan volunteered for a second time in a row in KEEN. “It fills my heart to make kids with special disabilities smile because it shows me to always be gracious for the blessed life I’ve been able to have,” Galvan said. “I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything else.” Other organizations such as Theta Pi Alpha Sorority, Lambda Pi Chi Sorority Inc. and Lambda Phi Sorority, volunteered on Give Kids the World Village Card Making. Give Kids the World Village is a non- profit organization based in Florida that fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses. Around 27 volunteers gathered in D’Angelo Center Ballroom to make and write cards. Grace Prunella, a senior, enjoyed making cards for Give Kids the World Village. “I had a very good time,” she said. Before coming to St John’s, she spent her morning making brownies and breakfast for families. Later, she explained that by making cards for kids she was sure she would brighten their day.” Lucy Homes-Higgins, the team leader, explained in the introductory orientation that once a kid is in the program, their room is filled with cards from volunteers. The cards can be found over their walls, beds and tables. Homes-Higgins has participated in two USD’s since she transferred to St. John’s in 2014. She explained that this year was different because she had the chance to work with Students Engagement. She worked with Mary Pelkowski, Associate Dean of Student Engagement, to secure that there were open and available spots to register for USD. She found interesting that all the spots were filled and up to last weekend people were still registering for USD. Her first half of the day consisted in helping Mission Office by handing T- Shirts and information to volunteers. “Service is really close to my heart,” Holmes-Higgins said. “I love what I do.” By: Nickool Castro The Office of Multicultural Affairs along with the department of Global Studies, the School of Education, and the Institute of Asian Studies held its 3rd Multicultural Mixer last Friday at 4:00p.m in the Great Lawn. More than 58 students’ organizations were present providing information to students and performing on stage. Students also had the opportunity to taste around 200 popular multi-ethnic dishes and desserts. “I’m having a good time,” Tyler Fogles, Master in Spanish said. “It is a great opportunity to meet people and other clubs,” he added. One of many organizations that were present in this event was the Latin American Student Organization, L.A.S.O. Around 30 students stopped by LASO’s table, where they encountered Lasitos, who were more than willing to answer any questions they had. “I always love to see all the cultures come together and have one big celebration,” Adriana Gallardo, LASO secretary, said. “And be able to share it to the entire St. John's community!” Jose Galvan, a sophomore and the Community Service Chair of the Latin America Student Organization, shared a similar point of view. “I waited on line for like an hour and half for food and I was one of the earlier ones, but I feel last year was more turnt,” Galvan said on a text message, “I don’t know something was missing.” Even though many criticized the wait for the food, many agreed that it was a nice event to end the long week of school on a Friday evening. “I didn’t get food. I didn’t even make the line,” Karina Cast said, “It was too long. But I was able to enjoy the performances with my friends,” the 23 year-old added, “and it was not so hot so it was a nice evening.” The purpose of this multicultural mixer was to celebrate St. John’s University diversity through authentic cultural dishes, performance and activities. “One of the things that make St. John’s, "St. John’s", is its diversity,” James Livia, Homeland Security and LASO Quality Council Member, said. “I believe that having this event, where so many different orgs [Asian, Hispanic, Black- based etc] attended, was a very good way to show freshmen and transfer students what part of the St. John’s spirit consist of,” the junior said. By: Nickool Castro The Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity Incorporated partnered up with the Latin American Student Organization, Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, and Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Sorority Incorporated to host their annual event “Wall of Prejudice” on September 1st and 2nd. The event took place on the Great Lawn and in front of the D’Angelo Center at 1:50 p.m. Those who participated in the event were able to write derogatory terms often use to discriminate certain people. This 2-day event concluded with students tearing down the wall at 6:00 p.m. Peter Andrews, a brother of Pi Lambda Phi and the event coordinator, commented that the purpose of this event was to ask individuals to think about things that might have hurt them. “Ignorant things, racist things, misogynist things, homophobic things, and bring them out in the open for all to see,” said Andrews on an email, “Once these things are out in the open, we symbolically smash the wall, in effect rejecting all these ignorant things. This is what our national philanthropy; The Elimination of Prejudice is all about.” Many students felt that this particular event had such positive impact on the St. John’s community. This was the case of James Livia, 22, Homeland security major. “I feel that an event like this is certainly needed in all schools,” said the Long Island native. “What’s so great about this type of event is that you can unleash all your anger and sorrow if you were ever judged for being something you are not,” added the Community Service Co-Chair of the Latin American Student Organization. Livia was not the only one; Irving Marino also had a similar point of view. “Prejudice occurs everywhere, either on a small or large scale. There is a lot of that on this campus currently, but this event is one huge step to cure that disease,” said the 23 year-old. “It was a great honor to have been part of this event and I would like to thank Pi Lambda Phi for reaching out to Phi Iota Alpha. The entire idea of an event like this is fantastic,” commented the Communication Arts major. The Vice-president of Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/ Lambda Pi Chi Sorority Inc. believes the event had a big impact on the St. John’s community. “It was a very nice event to start the school year,” The journalism major said, “It has a big impact on us- upper classmates- but more on freshman.” Ruben Rozo, a Queens-native majoring in Accounting expressed his thought of the event. “I like how they broke down the wall, with a hammer,” the 19-year old sophomore and General Body Member of L.A.S.O. said, “It makes me feel prejudice can actually end. I felt powerful.” Rozo was on his way to the dorms when he noticed the big wall next to the Sun Yat Sen building and stopped by. The Wall of Prejudice is one of Pi Lambda Phi's bigger philanthropy events; it was originally done on St. John’s Queens Campus during the Fall semester of 2014. “We were unable to do it the following year due to administrative reasons,” commented Andrews, “but we plan to hold this event every single year in the years to come.” Even though, there is not a clear record of how many students attended the event, Andrews stated that a hazard an estimate would be about 300 people took time to look at it, with about 200 people writing on the wall itself. Andrews also talked how this event affected him on a personal level. “It put a lot of things in perspective for me,” he said, “It helped me see that everyone carries some sort of weight on their shoulders, and that the things that we say or hear really do have an impact on people.” “[the event] It was my baby, and seeing it succeed after all the meetings and paperwork I had to submit was honestly a really good feeling,” He concluded on the email. |
AUTHORSThis blog is authored by the LASO E-Board and Quality Council. Here we talk about our experiences and takes on our events held throughout the year. ARCHIVESCATEGORIES
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