OMA Encourages Students To Branch Out!

As I was sitting in the Office of Multicultural Affairs thinking about what to write, it dawned on me that this is my first year being a student leader. I had a similar track record in high school; I only became involved on campus during my last two years there and here I am, following the same pattern. 

With the limited time I have left here at Assumption, I try the best I can to make the most of the opportunities I am presented. What if I had started becoming involved earlier? Would I have made a bigger impact on what happens on campus? Questions like these cross my mind every so often, but I do not let them rule me because what matters is what I can do now in order to bring about a better tomorrow. 

From my experience here at Assumption, I can use what I have learned to educate first-year students who are trying to find their niches on campus. What I would suggest is to find something you enjoy doing and figure out how you can tie it into campus life. If you enjoy what different cultures and ethnicities have to offer on campus or life in general and you want to promote awareness about the diverse cultures of the world, consider joining the African Latino Asian Native-American Network. If you loved participating in student government in high school or want to have a say in what the campus has to offer to students, consider joining the Student Government Association or the Campus Activities Board. If you enjoy helping others and making a difference in the lives of others, the Reach Out Center might just be the place for you. There are clubs and groups for just about anything you wish to pursue on campus and all you need to do is look for them. I know it is not the easiest thing to do, given that the period of adjustment varies with each student, but starting the process early will give you a head start on figuring out what you enjoy doing.

Being a student leader has so far been a rewarding experience. I have learned a great deal from interacting with my peers and interacting with other administrators on campus. This interaction amongst peers goes to another aspect of getting involved on campus: networking and connections. You never know how the people you interact with from different organizations can help you through the people they know. Networking is key in any kind of environment, whether it is work or academic. Collaboration between organizations is also a must if you want to be able to pull off large-scale events or promote your organization. That comes though once you actually begin participating in organizations on campus. In closing, the best way to make an impact on campus is to participate because the idle can only watch things happen, while those who act can make things happen.

_ Freymers Beaubrun

Multicultural Day a Celebration for All

            We are all defined by certain characteristics, which compose us, gender, personality, weight, height, ethnicity etc. These characteristics in turn make each and everyone of us an individual. Multicultural Day is a time to embrace these differences but yet to be aware, as well as open minded to learn about other cultures.

On February 1st you will have the chance to leave the Assumption Campus and travel the world, by simply visiting the offices in the Hagan Campus Center. Each office will become a different region in the world and specifically represent a few countries within that offices region. You will be able to attain adequate knowledge through facts regarding the randomly selected countries.

There will also be a showcase of various countries from six to eight in the Hagan Campus Center Hall. Tables will be set up with artifacts, photos, books, music, dishes and many other things that are being provided by Assumption College students. This experience only comes around once a year, and it is great to honor not only your culture but also other cultures being represented by the Assumption College community.

From the perspective of a bi-racial student, Multicultural Day is essential to have. It is a time in which everyone can feel special, because it encompasses every culture, therefore no one is secluded or marginalized by a certain aspect that makes them who they are. It is a day to celebrate our own uniqueness by being proud of what we are, to not be classified and bound to a particular category, but to embrace and appreciate all sides of who we are.

Being of Native American descent I would like to close with a quote from Chief Seattle, who was leader of the Duwamish tribe, which resided in Washington.  “Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.” I urge you to take advantage of this opportunity to acquire a better understanding of the world, in turn boosting your self-awareness. 

- Joanna Silva- Jones 

ALANA Promotes Bullying Awareness

Spreading Latino Culture at Assumption.

As I take one step further with my dance partner, I see the reflection in the mirror of a Latina student leader that I have become. While dancing to “Te Extraño” by Xtreme, a bachata group, I release the stress of the many tasks I have to complete after this rehearsal.  As a sophomore, at Assumption College, I have grown to come out of my shyness and take on a greater leadership position. I am Secretary for the ALANA Network. As an Ecuadorian on the Executive Board, I have the responsibility to promote Latino/Hispanic culture to the Assumption College community.

I was born and raised in Harlem, New York. Harlem is a place full of diversity, where no one is ashamed to express themselves. I came to Assumption College with a background in diversity. In my freshman year, I would blast to bachata, merengue, salsa, reggaeton, cumbia, etc. in my room in Desautels Hall. I had no shame to leave my door open because I wanted the girls on my floor to hear it. Yes, there were murmurs but that did not stop me. I decided to join ALANA so I can be able to express my culture. I was welcomed with open arms.

As a freshman, I had many ideas to promote Latino/Hispanic culture to the Assumption College community. However, as a freshman, I was lazy to take that role. Second semester came and I decided to run for the Secretary position. Over the summer, I brainstormed how to bring awareness of the Latino/Hispanic culture on campus.

One of ALANA’s annual events is the Latino Festival. I came back to college prepared and ready to start planning. The Latino Festival is an evening to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. I am very excited for this event because I love my culture and this is a great opportunity for students at Assumption College to learn about the Latino/Hispanic Culture.

Food will be catered by various Latino restaurants in Worcester; there will be live performances by Assumption College students, a live band and fun facts from each Latin American country. According to USA Today, did you know that by the year 2050, the Latino/Hispanic population will triple! Meaning that one out of four people will come from a Latino/Hispanic descent. Bring your friends and be prepared to travel to South American, Central America and the Caribbean’s.

            My dance partner and I nailed one third of our bachata performance but we still have two more songs to dance to. Dancing bachata, merengue and salsa makes me feel as if I was back home in New York City. I see how happy the other three couples get when we are practicing and on the day of the Latino Festival that dedication will show. You do not want to miss the Latino Festival on Thursday, October 13, 2011 from 6 P.M to 8 P.M at Hagan Campus Center Hall. ¡Que vivan los Latinos(a)/Hispanos(a)!

Daisy Sinchi ‘14

Secretary, ALANA Network

LATINO FESTIVAL