Hispanic group poised for growth

The fledgling Hispanic-American Leadership Organization needs new members to fulfill a huge mission throughout the university and local community, said its new president Mario Porras.

Like its counterparts at other universities, HALO has traditionally worked within the community to encourage Hispanic youth and their families to consider a college education.

"We try to motivate their families to be more interested in college. Lots of Hispanic families are not sure if their children can make it, and we help them understand that they can move forward in their education."

HALO also helps its members take on visible campus roles - such as leading committees, managing small budgets and planning special events.
But membership has been one of HALO's main challenges. Porras was an ESU student when three members revived the lapsed organization in spring 1999.

Since then, membership has increased to ten. But with ESU's 383 Hispanic students -- representing the largest minority group on campus -- Porras sees plenty of potential for growth.

"There are lots of Hispanics on campus, but many wonder if they would fit into HALO," he said. "They think they have to speak Spanish to join, but you don't. The organization is open to anybody - you don't even have to be Hispanic. Our goal is to learn about Hispanic issues and help the campus learn about them as well."

Porras is a third-generation Mexican-American who speaks very little Spanish - a fact that may cause others like him to shy away. "I've been Americanized and have lost a lot of knowledge of my roots," he explained. "I think people like me are afraid to be ridiculed for that. Also, people who are a half or a quarter Hispanic might feel intimidated, but we are going to work hard to make them feel welcome."

Porras sees HALO has a way to bridge the division between students from established Mexican-American families and recent immigrants. Native-English speakers can help newcomers with language difficulties while at the same time learning about their ancestral culture. Porras would even like international students from Spanish-speaking countries to get involved.
One of the group's main goals is to host a regional conference, either for area high school students or Hispanic student groups from other universities. Porras briefly attended Northwest Missouri State University, which hosted a conference involving university groups from Missouri and four nearby states.

"We got to meet other HALOs and get ideas from them - especially from bigger universities. It was basically an empowerment conference. As we do in our own groups, we learned how to get involved in the community to become better citizens and leaders."

But first, Porras and members of his ESU group need to focus on recruiting by writing personal letters of invitation to students of Hispanic origin. "We're not looking for a huge time commitment. We just people to help with a fundraiser or a display case, or any time they can give. And we hope they'll learn a little more about themselves along the way."

Last Updated July 2, 2007>