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The History of OLAS
In 1998 a very small group of Latino, Spanish,
and Hispanic students got together with a common vision: to establish
and maintain a spirit of solidarity among the Davidson College
students of Latin American and Spanish descent. They wanted
to form a group that would strive to create a sense of awareness
of Latino and Iberian culture within the community of Davidson,
thus the Organization of Latin American Students came to be better
known as OLAS.
After gaining the support of faculty advisor
Dr. Magdalena Maiz-Peña, Dean Earnest Jeffries, and the Spanish
Department, the founding members of OLAS drafted a constitution
and received a charter from the SGA in April. Once the
officers were elected, one of the very first activities to occur
was a Cinco de Mayo study break during
final exams week. Members also took an important role in
helping the Admissions Office recruit prospective Latino and Hispanic
students to Davidson.
In the following year the number of student
members grew, and OLAS sponsored various activities on a small
operating budget. During Hispanic History Month in October,
OLAS helped increase awareness about Latino and Hispanic culture
by putting on events like Latin Dance workshops, poetry reading,
and Día de los muertos with the help
of Prof. Ramón Figueroa. Later in 1999, OLAS co-sponsored
events with the Union, the PublicLectures Committee, and the Spanish
Department. Towards the end of the semester we helped to
bring the performance of Los Fokloristas
to Davidson’s campus. The Cinco de Mayo event in May of
2000 was a huge success when Spring Frolics fell on the same day
and the Union Board and OLAS sponsored Mexican Dinner and a live
Mariachi Band.
The 2000-2001 marked the 3rd
anniversary of OLAS when the group made a huge impact on the Davidson
College community with all its events. During the first
semester if the school year, OLAS members contributed over 250
hours of community service through the organization. Our
biggest event was Hispanic History Month. We opened the
month with a Café Tango study break
and then the following week participated in the Hunger and Poverty
Awareness Fair. On Oct. 15, we invited the campus to join
us at a Mexican church service in Charlotte and later in the month
took students to the Mint Museum to visit a Pre-Colombian exhibit
with Professor Carlos Rivera. Additionally, we organized
a panel discussion on the Latino/Hispanic presence in the Charlotte
area, held a dance workshop in preparation for La
Fiesta Latina, and generated much support for Día
de los Muertos on November 1. In celebration of
this Mexican holiday, we sponsored a presentation, discussions,
and held a contest for the best student altar.
Second semester continued with events such
as community service, speakers, showing Hispanic/Latino films
followed by discussion, creating our own web site, coffee study
breaks, Latin dance workshop and party, “Latina Women in the New
Millennium” panel Discussion, and a Cinco de
Mayo celebration. We were very fortunate to receive
writer Alicia Partnoy, a survivor of Argentine political persecution,
as a speaker at the end of the semester.
OLAS is open to all students and has grown
from a small group formed in 1998 with no funds to the 50-member,
chartered organization it is today. We thank the ambition
of founding members José Ruíz ’98, Agatha Degasperi ‘99, Jenny
Geada ‘99, Mauricio Sauma ‘00, Alex Obregón ‘00, Magdalena Barbosa
‘01, and Mónica Martínez ’01. We are also grateful for
Professors Maiz-Peña, Figueroa, and Rivera for their encouragement
and guidance this past year, and hope to grow even more with your
continued support and participation. OLAS is looking forward
to another exciting year and would love for you to join us, as
a returning or a new member. Hasta pronto, and keep that
Latin flava’ going!
~Marie Sharp ’01, former president and
founding member
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