By Sumya Mohiuddin, news correspondent
Festive music filled the air amid a diverse crowd of students as the Latin American Student Organization (LASO) hosted its annual Carnival Latino in the Curry Student Center Wednesday. The organization showcased Latinx culture through activities such as face painting and food and drinks including piña coladas, sweet plantains, flan and empanadas.
Beca Muñoz, a second-year politics, philosophy and economics major and outreach coordinator for LASO, works with other groups on campus to form coalitions. She hopes students from all different races and backgrounds received “a taste of Latin culture” after attending the carnival, and are motivated to learn more about Latin American culture through LASO meetings.
Laura Camila Rivera, a fourth-year marketing major, said she especially appreciated the event because of her Puerto Rican heritage and loved seeing everyone coming together to highlight Latin American cultures and deliver an authentic experience.
The process for planning the event began in June when executive board members submitted their budget proposals. LASO was able to organize Carnival Latino following the approval from financial board members regarding space and vendors. The co-president of LASO, Taylor Tomasso, a senior international affairs and cultural anthropology major, said working with LASO e-board members “[does not] feel like a job” because of the organization’s ambitious members. Although Carnival Latino required numerous financial board meetings to finalize its details, the plan to create a tumultuous event lacked worry.
“[LASO] plays an essential role in having student-run Latinx representation on campus,” said William Christian Thurlow, a third-year math major and the organization’s director of community service. “[They] create a comfortable and welcoming environment.”
Along with creating fun events like the carnival, LASO commits to working on relevant issues. Recently, they’ve drawn their attention to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
“[We are] creating support groups [as well as] organizing for accessible legal information,” Thurlow said.
The organization has recently created shirts with phrases such as “Dreamers Are Americans,” “I Stand With Dreamers” and “Defend DACA Defend Dreamers.” The money made from the DACA shirts help pay for pro bono immigration services for Dreamers.
Although LASO is meant to share Latin American culture to the Northeastern community, Thurlow emphasized that the club is open to everyone.
“The greatest Latin aspect of Carnival is the development of community for new students on campus,” Thurlow said. “Creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for [the rest of their years on campus].”
