OPSU: HALO Members Travel to Chicago Released by OPSU Campus Communications Goodwell, Okla. — Members of OPSUs Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO) traveled to Chicago, Feb. 13-16, to attend the 32nd Annual United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI). Approximately 4,000 college students attended, nine of those students were from OPSU accompanied by adviser, Teri Mora. The conference theme was Dreamers to Visionaries and the Pursuit of Destiny, a tribute to those who dared to dream. Conference speakers included Dr. Antonia Novello, former U.S. Surgeon General; Dr. Samuel Betances, renowned author and educator; April Hernandez-Castillo, actress and motivational speaker; and Dr. Juan Andrade Jr., President of USHLI and the only living recipient of the Presidential Medal of Honor from both the United States and Mexico. The students attended forums on Wellness and Healthy Living, Immigration, Education, Latinas as Paradigm Shifters, Glass Ceiling Busters, and the Latino Vote. Smaller workshops were available on a variety of topics from growing your student organization on campus to proper etiquette. Marco Valencia, OPSU HALO Vice-President and Student Senate Rep., commented on the conference saying, One of the speakers was April Hernandez Castillo and she was in the movie Freedom Writers. She said, Despite the reality you live in, it is not your destiny. I(Valencia) really like that, because it tells you that just because you are going through rough times, or you are in a bad situation at the moment, it doesnt mean that that is how you are destined to be for the rest of your life. We can change for the better if we stay positive and never give up on our goals. With the conference going from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day, the HALO members did not have a huge amount of free time. However, they did get the opportunity to enjoy Chicago Deep Dish pizza as well as a bit of shopping and sightseeing choosing between the National Museum of Mexican Art (the only one in the United States), Cloud Gate (also known as The Bean), or the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower). After the conference, the HALO students developed three main project areas to focus on throughout the year. First, the students would like to have the movie Cesar Chavez shown in Guymon. The movie is a biography of the civil-rights activist and labor organizer, Cesar Chavez. It is set to be released on March 28. Additionally, the students would like to have a community service day on his birthday which is March 31. Another goal is to organize immigration forums and workshops to get information out to the public and help with immigration paperwork. Lastly, the students would like to start a mentoring program in high schools, community colleges, and on campus. The program would focus on helping other Hispanic students not only come to college but also graduate. Students who attended include: Alma Avalos of Guymon, Okla.; Axel Anchondo of Guymon, Okla.; Agustin Barrios of Hooker, Okla.; Geny Cortez of Guymon, Okla.; Dalia Estrada of Optima, Okla.; Jazmin Frias of Laverne, Okla.; Abraham Guzman of Guymon, Okla.; Idy Medina of Guymon, Okla; and Marco Valencia of Keyes, Okla.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 11:22:04 +0000
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