The Latino Student Organization at Shippensburg University threw its Latino Explosion event over the weekend to celebrate National Latino Heritage month.
The Ceddia Union Building MPR was filled with Hispanic food choices and fun stations. Students got to enjoy BBQ chicken, fried ice cream, many variations of corn, empanadas and other traditional Latino foods.
If students did not eat too much food, they also could take a chance on a bull ride, a caricature artist, photobooth and custom street signs, all for free. One of the main events was the Sambisa, a samba dancer from Brazil, who performed and taught some basic dance lessons.
Once the festivities died down, the director of multi-cultural student affairs, SU alumnus Diane Jefferson, addressed the audience, noting how she felt about LSO and those running it. This was her first public appearance since August due to health issues. She thanked LSO president Brando Aristy for stepping in for her absence.
She applauded Aristy’s dedication to LSO and all that he has done in an already tight schedule. For instance, Aristy had just won a home football game the very same day as the LSO event. “You worked hard, but every group needs a leader, someone who dares to stand up, his character broke through, and Brando, that’s you. You did not miss a beat.”
It was not only LSO members running the show. Members from across MSA helped make sure the night ran smoothly, from the enticing and refreshing environments. Another MSA member volunteering to give food expressed her love for all MSA groups saying, “People of color still have that home away from home.”
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