This past Thursday, the Latino Student Organization (LSO) held an event known as the Big Splash Party, in order to bring the student community together.
The LSO is an on-campus organization that mixes different cultures and races instead of restricting it to just Latino, which is a large point they want to spread across campus.
At the Heiges Field House pool, the LSO invited all students to come out and see what they have to offer.
This organization is funded by Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA).
During the party, free food was offered such as pizza, chicken, snow cones and an assortment of fruits.
LSO President Varquidia Rosario and the rest of the LSO members organized various activities such as dance competitions and swimsuit contests, along with different icebreakers for everyone to get to know each other.
Gift baskets were the prizes for the winners of the various games held.
In each basket, the LSO gathered school supplies such as notebooks and planners in one, a whole laundry basket for a second and a bunch of snacks in the third basket.
LSO is only one of the various organizations that showcase Shippensburg University’s diversity. The African American Organization, Multi-Ethnic Student Association and the Asian American Organization are few of the other clubs.
“We want to promote an atmosphere of inclusion and acceptance of all people, no matter their heritage or culture,” Rosario said.
A large portion of the music played was Latino-based mixed with other cultures.
In the dance battles, the prize for the winner was a bed comforter.
SU junior Ana Lopez, a native from Mexico, is the secretary of LSO.
“I love that it’s not only Latinobased,” Lopez said. “It was a way to also get the incoming freshmen to come out and see what we are all about.”
The event brings different cultures together and there are different foods to match all of the different cultures, as well as different types of music and dance.
In October, the organization will hold the Latino Explosion.
The LSO meets on a weekly basis.To get involved, take a look around on campus for advertisements or fliers for any events the organization holds.
The Slate welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic. Read our full guidelines here.