With over 170,000 Hispanic people living in the Oklahoma City metro area, The University of Oklahoma’s Hispanic American Student Association (HASA) strives to welcome members of the community and spread their culture in the meantime (Living in Oklahoma City). The University of Oklahoma’s Hispanic American Student Association focuses on providing an environment in which students from an underrepresented group on campus can come together and share experiences. It also has formed a community in which students can ask for advice and guidance from other students, forming bonds through shared experiences. The organization hopes to expand Hispanic and Latino customs and traditions throughout the University of Oklahoma. (Hispanic American Student Association).
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Since then it has steadily grown by refining, refocusing, and repurposing its vision. “It is very organic and dynamic in the way that HASA tackles issues. It is not necessary, staying within this bubble, it’s how can we support the community”, as stated by Mathew Cancio, the organization’s faculty advisor. It is through the commitment of supporting the community, that HASA has become involved in issues affecting the Hispanic community, but also in the celebration of its triumphs. As an organization based at an institute of higher learning, it is only natural that HASA would become an advocate for Hispanic youth pursuing an education. However, HASA’s core value lies in the celebration of Hispanic culture, primarily the celebration of diversity and strengthening the …show more content…
For the months of September and October, HASA has hosted several events in which they celebrate and share Hispanic culture with the campus community. These events included “Poems and Picasso” and “Hispanic Trivia Night”. The chair of Hispanic Heritage Month committee, Maria Rendon, stated that it is a “chance as a Hispanic community to celebrate the rich culture, that not only we have in our own countries, but that we have contributed to the United Sates as well.” The celebration of Hispanic culture is also shown in many of HASA’s events, from their meetings where they serve Mexican street corn to their participation in the Fiestas de las Americas parade for many consecutive years. The festival “showcases the beauty, taste, and talent of the rich multicultural heritage found in Oklahoma” (Fiestas de las Americas). Held annually in southwest Oklahoma City, it consists of a parade, a pageant, and concerts. By participating in the event, it is evident that HASA takes pride in their cultural roots and in its celebration. Community is in the center of HASA’s involvement, whether it is the Hispanic community within the university or the Hispanic community in the state of Oklahoma. HASA is described as “a community building effort, it is an organization that makes sure that community is supported and has a place here” (Cancio). When one group within the community suffers,
Since then it has steadily grown by refining, refocusing, and repurposing its vision. “It is very organic and dynamic in the way that HASA tackles issues. It is not necessary, staying within this bubble, it’s how can we support the community”, as stated by Mathew Cancio, the organization’s faculty advisor. It is through the commitment of supporting the community, that HASA has become involved in issues affecting the Hispanic community, but also in the celebration of its triumphs. As an organization based at an institute of higher learning, it is only natural that HASA would become an advocate for Hispanic youth pursuing an education. However, HASA’s core value lies in the celebration of Hispanic culture, primarily the celebration of diversity and strengthening the …show more content…
For the months of September and October, HASA has hosted several events in which they celebrate and share Hispanic culture with the campus community. These events included “Poems and Picasso” and “Hispanic Trivia Night”. The chair of Hispanic Heritage Month committee, Maria Rendon, stated that it is a “chance as a Hispanic community to celebrate the rich culture, that not only we have in our own countries, but that we have contributed to the United Sates as well.” The celebration of Hispanic culture is also shown in many of HASA’s events, from their meetings where they serve Mexican street corn to their participation in the Fiestas de las Americas parade for many consecutive years. The festival “showcases the beauty, taste, and talent of the rich multicultural heritage found in Oklahoma” (Fiestas de las Americas). Held annually in southwest Oklahoma City, it consists of a parade, a pageant, and concerts. By participating in the event, it is evident that HASA takes pride in their cultural roots and in its celebration. Community is in the center of HASA’s involvement, whether it is the Hispanic community within the university or the Hispanic community in the state of Oklahoma. HASA is described as “a community building effort, it is an organization that makes sure that community is supported and has a place here” (Cancio). When one group within the community suffers,