KU News Release

Hispanic student group announces new leaders, plans for Cinco de Mayo

LAWRENCE — The Hispanic American Leadership Organization at the University of Kansas has announced its newly elected officers for 2009-10 and its plans to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

HALO members will host a bilingual program on Latino culture for about 70 elementary school-age children from the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence at 4 p.m. May 5 at Cordley School, 1837 Vermont St.

This marks the third year that members of HALO have collaborated with two other campus organizations promoting Latino culture — Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority and Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity — on an after-school community service project. In addition to conducting games and other activities for the youngsters, members of the three KU groups will perform dances.

HALO members annually celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in September and October, hosting more than 10 events in four weeks and attending regional meetings with other HALO chapters in Kansas and Missouri. They also participate in the Latino Leadership Summit hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and assist KU in reaching out to Hispanic high school students and participants in area festivals and cultural events.

Formed in 1971 as the Association of Mexican American Students, the group changed its name in 1974 to the Movimiento Estuadiantil Chicano de Aztlan. In 1986, it became known as HALO to better reflect the diversity of its members. The group’s mission is to meet the academic, social and cultural needs of the Hispanic student population at KU. Juan Izaguirre, program director for Greek Life at the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, is HALO adviser.

HALO officers are listed below by hometown, major, level in school, parents’ names, high school and office and/or role.

BARTON COUNTY
From Great Bend 67530
Dagoberto Heredia, sophomore in psychology, son of Dagoberto and Maria Heredia; Great Bend High School; Student Senate representative.

FORD COUNTY
From Dodge City 67801
Alec Hernandez, freshman in anthropology, son of Uriel and Amy Hernandez; Dodge City Senior High School; director of archives.

GRANT COUNTY
From Ulysses 67880
Maritza Castilleja, freshman preparing to study optometry, daughter of Arnold and Evelia Castilleja; Ulysses High School; parliamentarian.

HASKELL COUNTY
From Satanta 67870
Ben Fuentes, sophomore in political science, son of Benjamin and Laura Fuentes; Satanta Junior-Senior High School; president.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Shawnee 66216
Amanda Rivera, senior in accounting, daughter of Robert and Christina Rivera; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; director of finance.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Leavenworth 66048
Diana Toro, junior preparing to study pharmacy, daughter of Vincent and Anna Toro; Leavenworth Senior High School; director of community service.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66614
Marissa Perez, freshman preparing to study business, daughter of Mark and Mary Perez; Topeka High School; assistant director of finance.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City 66106
Sarah Plake, sophomore preparing to study journalism, son of Michael and Marilyn Plake; Bishop Miege High School, Roeland Park; secretary.

From Kansas City 66109
Mark Marquez, junior in human biology, son of Aileen Buchanan; Sumner Academy of Arts and Science; vice president.

CALIFORNIA
From Pomona 91766
Michael Soto, junior in elementary education, son of Hector and Jovita Soto; Brea Olinda High School in Brea, Calif.; director of social interaction.

ECUADOR
From Quito
Stefany Hill, junior in biology, daughter of Gonzalo Paredes; Hutchinson Community College, Hutchinson, Kan.; director of public relations.

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