Vamos Colombia!

Vamos Colombia!

Writer: Ilana S. Editor: Savannah T. Photographer: Bella D. Photo Editor: Olivia E.

¡Hola y bienvenido a Panhellenic! Translation: Hi and welcome to Panhellenic.

This sentence may be a very beginner level sentence, but many people would not even know what it says without a translation app or a Spanish to English dictionary. However, people like Juliana A., a senior and a sister in Alpha Chi Omega, use sentences like this in everyday life. As an Columbian-American woman and the president of Por Colombia here on campus, Juliana is able to continue using her ethnicity and embody her culture everyday.

Por Columbia is an organization that allows Columbian-American students on FSU’s campus to have a place to embrace their heritage and culture while promoting and educating the rest of the student body. This organization is open to anybody and everybody on campus who wants to learn or be part of the strong heritage and culture attached to the Columbian nationality. When speaking on why she initially joined Por Columbia, Juliana said, “When I moved to Tallahassee, I wanted that sense of familiarity that reminded me of home. I found an organization of individuals who had been brought together to celebrate their Colombian heritage.”

In this organization, events like Latin night and Karaoke nights take place, giving their members an opportunity to truly embrace their Columbian culture with one another through food, music, and more. During this school year, one that is unlike any other, Por Columbia was fortunate enough to be able to keep on spreading their message through these types of events. By hosting meetings and events via Zoom, Juliana was able to keep her members engaged and engulfed in their culture and their relationships with each other.

Through this organization, Juliana has grown to be even more in touch with her Columbian roots and is able to share that with others through her leadership as President. Juliana said, “My involvement had shaped me to become a driven individual and impactful team member. Por Colombia had done so much for me in my own personal development, I wanted to guide others so that they may share that same experience.” Now, as President, she is able to do just that, by helping her organization put on events and host meetings that truly embody what she feels is the Columbian heritage that spreads a sense of familiarity to the Columbian Americans on campus.

Juliana says her membership in the Panhellenic community has only made her more grateful to be the President of Por Colombia because her Alpha Chi Omega sisters are supportive of her work. She said, “As I pursued leadership roles within Por Colombia, my roommates in AXO would crush any insecurities I had when I began to doubt myself. They made me feel confident in my ability to be an impactful and understanding leader of Por Colombia.” Juliana even states that she will often announce Por Columbia events in her chapter meetings and her sisters always react with excitement and always make sure to come support her.

The support she receives as the President of Por Colombia from her Alpha Chi Omega sisters reminds Juliana of why she chose her chapter back in Fall of 2018, “When I walked into the brick house with the big red doors, I was greeted by Thais C. and once we got to talking, the conversation flowed so naturally.” She also noted, “As I met more sisters from the chapter, I could picture myself among the women as a part of their sisterhood. I felt so comfortable walking into Alpha Chi Omega.” These bonds she was able to create and blossom in her Panhellenic chapter allowed her to succeed as a sister, student, and leader of Por Columbia.

Thais speak of Juliana’s success saying, “Juliana is the most dedicated and kind-hearted leader I know. No matter the role she is given, big or small, she always takes it upon herself to make a difference. From being Co-President of Por Colombia, to my Little in Alpha Chi, Juli always manages to leave a big impact on whatever she sets her mind to.” O

ne of the most important discussions to be had about Juliana’s membership in Panhellenic and a multicultural organization is Panhellenic shifting towards being more inclusive. Juliana said, “Although Por Colombia and Alpha Chi Omega are very different, the two organizations bring individuals from all sorts of backgrounds together.”