Generations of George Washington University's Latino community gathered on Friday to celebrate 20 years of existence for the Organization of Latino American Students. Students, alumni and friends danced to a live band and ate cultural food at the 20th Annual Noche de Cultura. About 150 attendees - babies, teenagers, students, parents and grandparents - packed The Marvin Center Grand Ballroom.
The evening started with speeches and a performance from the dance group, Fuego. The executive board announced the new leadership for the 2016-2017 year, after which the dance floor was open to attendees.
Freshman and OLAS board member, Claudia Rodriguez Sanchez, was born in Cuba but immigrated to Canda when she was six. She grew up eating Cuban food and listening to Spanish music. She was excited to learn that platanos were among the latino dishes being served. Sanchez says OLAS helps her stay connected to her heritage.
Another freshman, 18-year-old Emilio Jiminez from the Dominican Republic, says GWU doesn't have a large Latino community but OLAS provides the perfect platform to meet other Latinos.
The event also attracted students from other colleges. Madinah Wilson, 22, studies at the University of Delaware and came to the event to visit and celebrate with her sorority sisters. Several OLAS alumni in the DC area also made an appearance.
OLAS recently won the Pyramid Award for Student Organization of the Year and the Excellence in Diversity Award. Their next event is a fundraiser at the restaurant, Crepeaway
Last month, the Student Association increased funding for multicultural student organizations, according to the GW Hatchet. Cultural, ethnic and religious groups received 11 percent of the total $1.3 million budget in 2016 and in 2017 they are expected to receive 16 percent - more than $150,000.
The allocation for OLAS jumped from more than $12,000 last year to about $20,500 for next year.
