October 2012 Volume VIII Issue 5
La Voz Latina The University of Maryland’s Leading Source of Latino News Latino Heritage Month articles inside | pg. 4
LGBT community collaborates with Md. dreamers By Jessica Evans
Casa de Maryland joined forces with Equality Maryland, a LGBT civil rights advocacy group, to form the campaign “Familia es Familia Maryland,” or “Family is Family Maryland,” in an effort to educate the community about the Maryland Dream Act and same-sex marriage rights before the presidential election on Nov. 6. “We want to show the community that we are together and that is why we started Familia es Familia,” said communication specialist at Casa De Maryland Susana Flores. The campaign is trying to educate and bring awareness on these issues by going to Hispanic media outlets and having people share their stories. “We have videos of different families showing their support,” said Flores. CASA, CONTINUES ON PAGE 2
courtesy of Jasmine Herrera
Karen Contreras and Jasmine Herrera, members of the LHM planning committee, pose at the LSU Welcome Back Barbeque.
Smithsonian Latino Center discusses LHM trajectory By Alex McGuire
The Latino Heritage Month lecture series stopped at Marie Mount Hall on Sept. 25 to discuss the current state of Latinos in regard to culture, history, politics and its terminology. The lecture, which was led by Director of the Smithsonian Latino Center Eduardo Diaz and the University of Maryland’s own Dr. Stella Rouse, aimed to tackle the history of Latinos and Hispanics in this country and how the context of the two demographic terms has changed over the years. Diaz discussed how the nationwide Hispanic Heritage Month evolved from a week into an entire month, thanks to President Reagan, who enacted a law in 1988 that expanded it into a 30-day period. The commemorative period lasts from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 because eight Latin American countries celebrate indepen-
New pre-college program established between U-Md. and local high school By Fidel Martinez
Courtesy of the MICA office
dence during that time frame. While Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to shine, Diaz said, the term “Hispanic” is a difficult and vague term. “The term Hispanic references Spain and its former colonies, which means that colossal Brazil and the legacy of once mighty Portugal are, oftentimes, excluded,” said Diaz in a prelude article from the Huffington Post. “It seems to me that an identity can continue to
A new pre-college track partnership was established between the University of Maryland and Northwestern High School on Thursday Sept. 12 to help restructure the effectiveness of older college programs embraced by the high school. The local high school is located less than a mile away from campus, and already carries over 20 University of Maryland based outreach programs that help students articulate the potential needed in order to strive for an academic future. “There is a long history of university programs being involved at NHS,” said Shane Bryan, the AmeriCorps VISTA Community Partner Liaison. “The inquiry of new programs was becoming burdensome to the high school. There has been little assessment of the impact these programs are having on the overall NHS community.”
LHM, CONTINUES ON PAGE 4
noticias High school seniors in Prince George’s County Public Schools can now take SAT for free | Pg. 2
latinidad Meet the newest Latina sorority:
latino heritage month
1st independent Latina sorority now at UMD | Pg. 3
Find out what this year’s LHM theme means| Pg. 5
Students discuss their AfroLatino identity | Pg. 5
deportes World Cup 2014:
Which Central American teams will qualify? | Pg. 6
NHS, CONTINUES ON PAGE 3
entretenimiento Salsa & Bachata:
Find out what happened at the 3rd annual dance competition.| Pg. 7
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New Prince George’s County Public Schools initiative waives SAT fee
SAT School Day hopes to remove barriers to higher education By Karen Mawdsley
For the first time, on Oct. 17, seniors in Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) will be able to take the SAT—the nation’s most widely used college admission test—for free. The goal of the county-funded initiative, referred to as the SAT School Day, is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to take the test, according to Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alvin Crawley. Leslie Sepuka of College Board’s Washington office reported that in the Prince George’s County school district, 5,192 seniors who graduated in 2012 took the SAT at some point in their high school career. But officials want to see that number increase. Providing the essential pre-college exam to students not only free of charge, but also during a regular school day, in familiar surroundings and with familiar faces allows PGCPS to remove any barriers that may deter student participation, Crawley said. Cost, according to Bowie High School senior Awung Fontem, seems to deter some students from taking the test. According to College Board, there is a direct correlation between family income and SAT scores—the higher the income, the higher the score. Maryland students in households with incomes greater than $200,000 score an average of 156 points higher than those in households with incomes less than $20,000. But the SAT itself is not the only cost involved in the pursuit of higher education. One college application can come with up to a $90
fee attached. And these are moneSAT fee: $50.00 tory expenses that occur even before the expenses of underACT fee: $50.50 graduate tuition, room and board, which rose 42 percent at public AP test fee (1): $89.00 institutions in the last decade. But offering the SAT for UMD app. fee: $65.00 free, while it may not drastically change the percentage of students who chose to pursue higher education upon graduating, is a step in the right direction. Cheryle Williams, a College application fees alone can cost hundreds of dollars. professional school counselor at the county’s Parkdale High School thinks the free SAT opportunity will have a Shabnam Ahmed, the PG County Board positive impact, as does Eleanor Roosevelt of Education’s student member commented on High School senior Ali Dar. the uniqueness of the diversity in the county He commented, “I think because it’s and stated, “By offering a free SAT for seniors free a lot of people are going to be taking it.” I believe our school system is encouraging stu Having been in the position of these dents of all backgrounds to get a jump start for high school seniors merely two years ago, Uni- college. I think it is very generous of the county versity of Maryland sophomore Dejen Mengis to make this offer for the students.” reflects on his experience in PGCPS’s Eleanor PGPCS Senior Pubic Information OfRoosevelt High School. ficer Brian Henderson said the SAT School Day “Our school really encouraged taking would also be offered in the spring on Feb. 27. the SAT multiple times. I actually took it twice The SAT School Day is also available to during high school. They’re really good about all public school students in Delaware, Idaho, exposing us to that type of stuff,” Mengis said. and Maine, as well as students in certain school In addition to the test itself, students districts in Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, will have access to College Board preparation New York, Oregon, Texas and Washington, resources including The Official SAT Online Sepuka said. Course, The Official SAT Question of the Day Registration is open online through Oct. and Skills Insight, as well as four free score 3 through the College Board website. reports to send to colleges and scholarship services.
TOTAL: $254.40
CASA continued The LGBT Equity Center on campus has also taken strides to promote intersection of both issues. “We’re trying to make people understand that there is an intersection between the two, they are LGBTs and also dreamers,” said Pamela Hernandez, the special projects office assistant of the LGBT Equity Center. “They face an internal conflict.” The campaign comes at a critical time – Maryland voters will have the option to vote for the Maryland Dream Act, Question 4, and same-sex marriage, Question 6 on the presidential election ballot. According to the Maryland State Board of Election’s website, the Maryland Dream Act would grant undocumented immigrants who attended a high school in Maryland in-state college tuition for any community college. After students have completed two years of community college, they can then attend one of the state’s public universities. In regards to Question 6, the Maryland State Board of Elections’ website stated that
“
The whole reason for these two issues to come about was a base line human rights issue.
”
Pamela Hernandez, special projects office assistant of the LGBT Equity Center
gay and lesbian couples will be able to obtain a marriage license. “The whole reason for these two issues to come about was for a base line human rights issue,” said Hernandez. “Even though it’s a discussion about Maryland dreamers, it’s also about justice.” The LGBT Equity Center at the University Of Maryland also joined forces with
Let your voz be heard!
the Maryland Dream Act advocates and LGBT supporters to promote the cause. The center hosted the “Diversity on the Ballot”, a panel that discussed the intersection of the two issues on Monday Oct. 1. Casa de Maryland was one of the panel’s sponsors. Panelist speakers included Councilmember Hans Riemer, Valeria Carranza, the Policy Analyst for Montgomery County, Jonathan J. Green, a lobbyist for the Dream Act, Jose Granados, a sophomore involved with Casa de Maryland and Terps for Marriage Equality, and Sebastian Roa, the founder of the Justice for Students in America (JSA) Movement. Hernandez said that the speakers are apart of either both or at least one of the issues that will appear on the election ballot this November. Regardless of whether one, both, or neither questions pass, the election will be historic for taking steps towards equality. “This is about dignity and civil rights,” said Flores. “We have to join in and support the families.”
La Voz welcomes anyone to contribute. You do not have to be Latino/a to join! Please send submissions to lavozlatina.umd@gmail.com
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3 NWS continued The Leadership Community Service Learning unit within Adele H. Stamp Student Union hopes to decrease the high school’s drop out rates and increase college preparedness through in-class and extended learning partnerships. The LCSL will strengthen its program’s academic efficacy with outreach programs, like Upward Bound and College and Career Pathways. These non-profit organizations will assist low-income, first generation students, and provide high school students with academic counseling. “Pre-college programs, like College and Career Pathways, provides the school with the resources that students need in order to choose
their ideal college,” said Mike Adeshoga, a senior member of the College and Career Pathways Program. Northwestern High School has attempted, with limited afterschool tutoring and AP courses, to shift the views of students that have yet to see the importance of an education. “A majority of the population in Northwestern seem to walk through the halls with academic negligence. Programs like these help create awareness within the student body by exposing them to numerous opportunities,” said Johanna Perdomo, Northwestern alumna and representative of the Upward Bound program. Less than 80 percent of Northwestern
ALPFA helps business students develop professionally By Evelyn Avelar
students graduate, and attendance rates have dropped two percent, according to the Prince George’s County Board Of Education. However, Northwestern hopes to provide its students with an influential assistance for educational opportunities in order to improve the school reputation with the new partnership. Perdomo hopes that the new partnership will assist the local youth and scholastically enrich minorities in order to shatters the school’s reputation. “With various tutoring programs, Upward Bound helped shape my college interest,” said Perdomo. “Without it, I would have never thought about college in my junior year. ”
New Latina sorority joins campus CUS joins Latino Greek life at UMD By Jessica Evans
The winning ALPFA team at a KPMG Case Sudy competition in Las Vegas.
Only two years old, the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA) a national business professional development organization, has helped students become successful professionals in their career fields, and last summer, the ALPFA-UMD team placed second in a National KPMG Case Study Competition. Five members were selected from the ALPFA-UMD chapter to go to Las Vegas and compete in the National KPMG Case Study Competition where over 28 different schools across the U.S. and Puerto Rico competed and presented on an accounting subject assigned to them. “Participating in the KPMG Case Study Competition was a great experience!” said Gerson Elias, president of ALPFA-UMD. “Thanks to ALPFA, I was able to secure an internship with KPMG this past summer and I just recently committed to a full time job with them right after I graduate this fall,” said Elias. The ALPFA-UMD team analyzed Exxon Mobil’s corporate governance and significant accounting policies relating to post-retirement benefits. The team is eligible to return and go straight into finals at next summer’s competition, which will be held in Washington D.C.
courtesy of ALPFA
The ALPFA-UMD chapter was founded by economics major, Peter Canales, and accounting and information systems double major, Ivana Mejias. With the help of Pamela Hernandez, former coordinator for Latina/o Student Involvement at the office of Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy (MICA), along with the help and support of student organizations such as La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc., the Latino Student Union (LSU) and the Coalition of Latino Student Organizations (CLSO), the ALPFA-UMD chapter was established in fall 2010. Their goal was to establish an organization on campus for Latinos and other minorities that would provide the skills and resources needed to succeed as a professional. ALPFA also connects students to internships and jobs at major competitive accounting firms such as Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), KPMG, and Ernst and Young. “Being a minority student is hard enough, trying to make it in the business world is even harder, so I wanted to make it easier for them,” said co-founder Peter Canales. “We are such a small percentage on campus and an even smaller percentage in the business school. ALPFA is like a family - we ALPFA, CONTINUES ON PAGE 7
Last spring, the Latino Greek life welcomed Corazones Unidos Siempre, Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc., also known as CUS, as the newest Latin sorority on campus and the first and only colony in the state of Maryland. CUS, which is also the first independent Latin sorority in the nation and the first to step and stroll, became a colony at the University of Maryland on April 29, 2011 when seven students became interested in starting a chapter. The interest group was called The Organization of Women Looking for Sisterhood in Chi Upsilon Sigma, O.W.LS in CUS. CUS, which English translation is “hearts united always,” was nationally founded on April 29, 1980 at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. “It was founded to create a home away from home for first generation Latina women who didn’t have the resources to seek higher education,” said president of CUS and junior criminology and criminal justice major Jennifer Cruz. According to the CUS national website, the founding mothers wanted their members to focus on four pillars: educational, political, cultural, and social awareness. “I decided to colonize because I felt that there was a need for diversity among the Latino Greeks,” said cofounder of CUS and junior government and politics major Raquel FloresJuarbe. “There was only one other organization, and I felt that women interested in Latin sororities deserved to have more than one option available to them. I felt that I wanted to contribute to UMD’s campus.” In fall 2011, the interest group began to hold events, recruit more potential interests, and build stronger relationships with other organizations. CUS, CONTINUES ON PAGE 7
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Latino Heritage Month Kickoff Unites University By José Umaña
Entertainment and culture united the president of the Gamma Phi Sigma “Hermanos Pachamama (mother earth in Quechua, the naUniversity of Maryland community as the anUnidos” Fraternity, Inc., presenting Judy Martive language of Potosi, Bolivia). nual Latino Heritage Month Festival, organized tinez, coordinator for the office of Multicultural Freshman Xandria Baleno followed by the Coalition of Latino Student OrganizaInvolvement & Community Advocacy, with the up afterwards with a rendition of a Christian tions (CLSO), kicked off the month of festiviRaza Award for her work with uniting many Aguilera song accompanied with her guitar ties of Hispanic Heritage. students in the Hispanic population at the unithat brought a soulful mood. Abisola Kusimo, a With a crowd of mechanical Engineerover 100 people in attening major from New dance in the Nyumburu Jersey, rounded out the Ampitheater, the night was student performers by filled with music, dances, motivating the audiand games that showcased ence with her spoken many customs of different word poetry. Hispanic countries. Ac In between cording to CLSO President performances, comedic Jasmin Herrera, the event relief and laughs were took over three months of added to the show via planning in order to make most of the UMD it a success. Hispanic fraternities “Once school and sororities with ended last [spring] semesinteractive games with ter, we were here at least the audience. Some of once a week, organizing the competitions the event,” stated Herrera. included Latino kara“We wanted to make this oke from the Chi show a great showcase for Upsilon Sigma Nathe community on campus tional Latin Sorority, The Fraternidad Cultural Pachamama, a Bolivian dance troupe, was one of many performances at the LHM kickoff. Jose Vasquez and make the Hispanic Inc., a clothes changpopulation more known.” versity with activities across campus. ing competition with the Lambda While the festival was filled with music, Local Hispanic band Inseparable played Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., and a Bachata dances, and entertainment from different counCumbia, an originally Colombian genre of dance competition from the Lambda Theta Phi tries from all over Central and South America, music that has grown popularity in Mexico and Fraternity, Inc. the show carried a theme of unity and voice that parts of Central America, which brought many “My favorite part was the bachata conwas presented through every performance and audience members to the central stage to dance test,” stated freshman Laura Romero. “I really announcement. Almost every speaker spoke of to the music. enjoyed the festival.” the importance to stay united and to speak their Afterwards, more local and student La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon voice, as the U.S. presidential and local elecperformers made their way up the stage and Lambda Fraternity, Inc. joined together with tions draw closer. CLSO representatives went wowed the audience with their displays of talLambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity to end the around registering people to vote during the ent. First, Joy Maldonado, a local high school show with a Hispanic spelling bee where the festivities. student, performed a mix of modern dance and consequences for getting the word wrong would “This year, our theme for Latino Herihip-hop fusion. Continuing with the dancing result into a whipped cream pie to the face of a tage Month is: “One Nation: Life, Liberty, and theme, a Brazilian and Latino movement group group member, uniting the audience to particiJustice for all” or ‘Una Nacion: Vida, Libertad demonstrated and taught Capoeira, a Brazilian pate in Hispanic culture. y Justicia para Todos.’” Christian Del Cid, the martial art that combines dance with music. “The festival was great,” junior René Master of Ceremonies said. “We all have a Lastly, a Bolivian dance troupe, called The Diaz said. “I got to see and meet other great Lavoice and should use it during elections in tryFraternidad Cultural Pachamama, used their tinos on campus. It was great to see the Latino ing to make a positive change.” Bolivian culture and tradition to demonstrate unity on campus.” The event began with Chris Martinez, the dance of the Tinkus or “encounter” for the LHM Trajectory continued
evolve and include.” The term that serves to unite the community at critical times is “Latino” because it helps take on the huge problem of being such an encompassing term for many different people with many different countries of origin. “The U.S. is the second largest Spanish-speaking country, so we’re no longer a focus group,” Diaz said. “Our biggest challenge is diversity.” Rouse, an assistant professor in the department of government and politics as well as a research fellow at the Center for American Politics and Citizenship here at UMD, discussed how it is imperative that Latinos teach non-
Latinos against the perceptions that the news and media often influence. Educating the non-Latino community is a significant aspect of Hispanic Heritage Month. She went on to examine surveys that conveyed the top issues that matter to Latino legislators and the Latino community, including universal healthcare coverage, the DREAM act and, most importantly, education. “The trajectory of Latinos has a much more local impact,” she said. “Our priorities are the priorities of everyone.” While the two-hour lecture presentation saw a very small crowd, it allowed an opportunity for more of an interactive, ques-
tion-and-answer environment for the few interested students to ask questions that the presenters raised. “It’s really easy to generalize and stereotype Spanish people,” said junior government and politics major Peter Sullivan. “I guess that’s why diversity can pose a problem in the community.” housing standards, were the ones most devastated. In the urban capital Santiago, families like Magaly Toro’s, who is a food science graduate student, shrug off whole collapsed walls and minor daily inconveniences, while residents of more central and remote cities now face at best the burden of taking in now homeless neighbors. According to Toro, people who did
not have much to give before are stretching their resources even thinner. “They work a lot for their homes and now they have to start over,” Herrera said. “They needed help and now they need it more.” Students can make donations directly to the embassy’s Bank of America account or by texting codes, like 25383 to give $10 to Habitat for Humanity. “We had this earthquake in Haiti, and the earthquake in Chile, and now its like people don’t remember it anymore. But these two countries still need help for a while,” Toro said.
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LIFE, LIBERTY, AND JUSTICE FOR ALL VIDA, LIBERTAD, Y JUSTICIA PARA TODOS By Blanca Bejarano
The refrain “life, liberty, and justice for all” has been wellknown for years, and on Sept. 17, faculty and student alumni of the University of Maryland united to provide meaning to this year’s theme for Latino Heritage Month (LHM). The LHM 2012 Opening Ceremony welcomed Dr. Mark Brimhall-Vargas, associate director of the Office of Diversity Education and Compliance, as the master of ceremonies. He began the ceremony with his interpretation of the month, paying close attention to the details on many of the posters and t-shirts promoting LHM on campus. “I noticed several items about the use of language. It’s not Hispanic Heritage Month anymore,” he said, “[the posters] use L-A-T-I-N-‘@’ symbol for Latina/o.” Despite the interesting word choice, the question of the night centered on what life, liberty and justice meant to la comunidad Latina.
New faculty member Dr. Michelle Espino, assistant professor of the Department of Counseling, Higher Education and Special Education, touched on her views of life in which “our present situation deny so many of our people the opportunities to good education, to equal opportunity, [and] to quality of life simply because they do not have the right documentation to claim their fundamental human rights.” Recognized as one of the most important Latina people on campus, Dr. Ana Patricia Rodriguez, associate professor of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and U.S. Latina/o Studies, gave what she considered “a distinction between liberty and freedom.” “I came to this term in a very conflictive matter,” said Rodriguez. “[Liberty] means a term of displacement, a term of conflict, a term of war, but it also is a term of great promise for a lot of people who struggle with libertad … [and] freedom is a term that is very hard to qualify for.”
Adriana Rosas, UMD alumna and sister of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., spoke about the findings of her senior thesis paper, which focused on investigating the history of Latinos at the University of Maryland. According to Rosas, although Panamanian student Cadet A. Cook was the first Latino to attend the University in 1871, it wasn’t until the late 1980s that the Latino population began to have a more visible presence on the university. However, since the 1990s, the Latino population at the university has remained at less than 10 percent of the student body though the university’s total undergraduate enrollment rate has been anywhere from 20,000 to 26,000 undergraduate students. “The Latino population has not really risen for quite sometime. The low attendance rates I believe are something that with us being here since 1871, or having a presence here, that should be more,” said Rosas.
For the past twenty years, the Latino population has remained in the 1000 range. In the 1990s, the Latino population was 1,655 students and in the fall of 2011, the Latino population was 1,963 students. The Opening Ceremony, organized by the Multicultural Involvement & Community Advocacy Office (MICA), the Coalition of Latino Student Organizations (CLSO), and the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education (OMSE), successfully joined the UMD community together to reflect on the idea of living in “one nation.” Towards the end of the ceremony, Dr. William John Hanna, professor in the department of Urban Studies, reflected on his own meaning of the refrain ‘justice for all,’ but also on how he believes that we don’t have equality in the United States. If this were true, then in the words of Espino, “Mi gente we got work to do, so let’s do it.”
Students discuss Afro-Latino identity By Karen Mawdsley
Do you define yourself by your name? Your age? Race? Ethnicity, religion, gender, hometown, family, friends likes or dislikes? With countless components that can be used to define us as human beings and as individuals, the concept of identity is a universal struggle. But this game of tug of war between oneself and one’s identity can be even stronger for Black Latinos—Black Americans of Hispanic descent. “People who identify themselves as being Afro-Latinos face the challenge of not fitting the stereotype of the Latino everyone thinks about when they hear the word,” Douglas Jimenez, president of the University of Maryland’s Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity said. “A lot of people don’t even know that Afro-Latinidad exists.” But that is precisely why individuals and groups are trying to initiate discussion through what is referred to as the Black Latino/-a Movement. And the University of Maryland is completely on board. On Sept. 18, Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc., and the Caribbean Student As-
sociation, after recognizing the prominence of racism within the diverse Latino community, held a student discourse on identifying as Latino and black. Participants, after viewing a documentary highlighting the tension between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, discussed racism and the conflicts it creates as well as identity issues all young people, but particularly those of African descent, face growing up. Due to the all too common misconception that Latinos are lighter skinned, Jimenez said, the huge African influence in the culture is often overlooked. “What was always interesting to me was people’s reactions when they would get confused for being black. Some would respond negatively and say I am only this or that culture, while others would be super proud of their roots,” reflected this university’s Graduate Coordinator for Black Student Involvement and Advocacy, Aurin Agramonte. While some Hispanics take offense to being referred to as “black,” others feel estranged from both their black and Latino/-a peers. “They see that they do not fit the stereotypical image of the Latino or Latina, and
it gives them a feeling of exclusion,” said Jimenez. And others yet embrace both identities. “I am Black Latina,” stated Crystal Shaniece Roman, CEO and founder of the appropriately named company The Black Latina Movement. She formed the company, which aims to advance the Black Latina voice through music, theater, and film, as a result of her struggles and frustrations as a child and actress who identified as both black and Latina. “Once I realized there were many others who struggled with this double and sometimes triple identity…I knew I had something on my hands.” “We as Latinos should embrace all aspects of our culture and not be divisive against our own people,” Jimenez said. The emergence of more discussion through the Black Latino/-a Movement is a step in the right direction, Agramonte, Roman, and Jimenez all agree. “I personally just live the movement in my daily life,” Agramonte said, “I do not fit the traditional or expected definition of “Black” in this country, but I am part of the African diaspora—I’m Caribbean, and my involvement in the AFRO-LATINO, CONTINUES ON PAGE 6
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Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. tests positive for marijuana Chavez may face a year long suspension By Ivette Lucero Lopez
Not only did Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. lose his WBO middleweight championship fight in Las Vegas against Sergio Martinez on Sept. 15, but it appears he will also be losing money and his boxing license after the Nevada State Athletic Commission notified the boxer and his boxing promoting company, Top Rank, that he tested positive for marijuana. According to Dan Rafael, ESPN boxing analyst, this is not the first time Chavez has tested positive in a drug test, which could make his punishment more severe than his first time offense in 2009. During that last failed test, Chavez tested positive for furosemide, a diuretic drug that is commonly used to cut weight or to prevent detection of a banned substance or illegal drug. Chavez’s actions also got him three years probation as a result of driving under the influence and without a valid license earlier this year in California. He was also fined 10 percent of his earnings for that fight along with seven months suspension With this latest charge, the son of the famed retired Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez faces a chance of being suspended for
a year because of his past behavior and a bigger fee for his actions, as this is his second drug testing offense in Las Vegas, which can be a lead role in determining punishment. According to HBO Series 24/7, a reality show that follows the training of the boxers before their fight, Chavez’s attitude resembled that of a rebellious teenager, as though he knew he was going to win. Chavez was late to training appointments and at one point during taping, didn’t even show up. While his opponent Martinez was shown constantly training day and night for the fight, Chavez lacked duty to train hard and motivate himself to the fullest based on his actions. Even with the inclusion of having prestigious boxing trainer Freddy Roach, whose history of trainees consist of Oscar de La Hoya, Manny Paquiao and Amir Khan, did not seem to have given an impact on Chavez as the negative behavior continued. The frustration Roach showed as the lack of effort coming from Chavez worried him that if he did not prepare for the fight, Chavez was bound to lose. This has led some fans to agree with Chavez’s trainer and believe that Chavez’s use
of marijuana could have been holding him back from properly training for this fight. “I believe he had a chance to win this fight. If you watch what happened in the 12th round he knocked Martinez down,” Natasha McGee, a current University of Maryland graduate student said. “He has it in him, but it makes sense that if he tested positive for marijuana that could’ve been a component to why he loss.” Since the news hit that Chavez had tested positive for marijuana he has since released a statement via twitter to his fans and the boxing world, vowing for a rematch against Martinez” “I apologize to all those who were disappointed or aggrieved by my behavior,” he said in Spanish tweets, “Everything that happened makes this a perfect time to stop and think about the future. Now it is time for a new Julio Cesar Chavez to be born and I will begin a period in my career that will prepare me physically and mentally to achieve new goals, including, in the short term, a rematch with Sergio ‘Maravilla’ Martinez.”
Central America teams fight for final World Cup qualifier spots By José Umaña
Five Central American national teams looked to garner favorable results on their last two games in group play in order to advance to the next stage of qualifiers in the CONCACAF/ North American region for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil 2014. El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama and Honduras are four out of the remaining eight teams that may still qualify for the hexagonal round of qualifiers that start next year, as only the top two teams from each of the three groups will continue forward. The next round of matches will be played on October 12th and 16th. In Group A, three out of the four teams can still qualify as the United States, Guatemala and Jamaica are tied with the same number of points and results. Guatemala, currently in second place due to a goal differential tie-breaker with the United States, must win their home match against Jamaica in order to take command of one of the two top spots in the group. According to Grant Wahl, senior soccer writer for Sports Illustrated, Guatemala hopes to “win
big” against the Jamaicans so that they don’t have a lot of pressure in the last game against the United States in Kansas. If Los Chapines lose against Jamaica, they would have to win against the U.S. and need Jamaica to lose against the group’s last place team, Antigua and Barbuda. Meanwhile, Mexico is the only team to have qualified out of Group B to the next round by winning all four of their group matches heading to the last round of matches. El Salvador and Costa Rica are fighting for the last spot as the Salvadorians currently sit in second in the group with 5 points (one win, two draws, and one lost). In order for El Salvador to qualify, they must at least have one victory in their final two matches (away to Mexico and home against Costa Rica). It will be a very difficult for El Salvador since Mexico has not lost in their past 11 World Cup qualifiers and Costa Rica, who will play last place Guyana before their final group match in San Salvador, will be looking to get results in their last two matches as they need to
AFRO-LATINO continued movement is to educate people and to normalize that term “African diaspora.” Agramonte voiced being proud of people embracing the same kind of “living the movement” by doing things like leaving their hair natural and challenging their families’ perception of their own identity. “I love the way [the movement] is
headed,” Agramonte commented. “The more we normalize it, the easier it will be for others to embrace their ‘afro-latinidad.’”
win and get at least a tie to advance to the new round. The final spot to the next round could be determined as the two teams play each other in their group match. El Salvador’s new Head Coach Juan de Dios Castillo believes that even though Costa Rica is a good opponent, the Salvadorian players can get the job done to advance to the next round. “Ultimately the only thing that counts is points,” Castillo said in an interview with FIFA. com. “We’re getting to know each other, but the players know that qualification is in our own hands, and that we’re not dependent on anyone else but ourselves.” In the final group, Panama currently holds a slim lead (9 points; three wins and one loss) over both Honduras and Canada (both are tied with 7 points). Panama needs a victory while Canada and Honduras needs a combination of results in order to place second in the group.
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Third annual salsa competition brings dancers of all skill levels together By Melanie Balakit
Dancers of all different skill levels competed in a salsa and bachata competition co-sponsored by Gamma Phi Sigma “Hermanos Unidos” Fraternity, Inc. and the University of Maryland Latin Dance Company, on Fri., Sept. 21 to benefit the American Cancer Society. Salsa and bachata are two partner dances that are extremely popular in Latin America, as well as in the Latino community in the United States. Salsa has origins in Cuba, while bachata originates from the Dominican Republic. This is the first time the competition has included bachata since its conception in 2008. The third annual competition featured two different competitions for salsa and bachata. The first was a couple’s competition, where contestants formally chose their partner, and were judged by a panel of judges. The second was a Jack and Jill competition, where contestants met their partner on the open floor and were judged by the audience. Prior to the competition, a free salsa class was provided by Latin Dance Vibe, LLC, an instructional dance company based in the DC metro area. The competition also featured a dance performance by Dynamix Dance team, a D.C. metro-based group. “We’ve been together for a year and a half,” said Nebyat Yonas, referring to Jhef Felix, her partner in the salsa couple’s competition.
Allan Gonzalez
“But this is our first time in an actual competition,” she said. “I learned salsa by just going out,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun.” Elyse Weitzman, a student from the University of Pittsburgh and a competitor in the salsa couple’s competition began dancing salsa almost a year and a half ago. “I took an introduction to salsa class last summer and have been dancing ever since,” said Weitzman. “Now I dance it on a weekly basis. I have a passion for it.” “I actually just passed
by and decided to join,” said Danny Catacora, a sophomore electrical engineering major who placed third in the salsa Jack and Jill contest. Catacora said he’s had some experience with salsa and ballroom dancing, but he’s mainly learned how to dance from Quinceñeras and parties. “Dancing brought the family closer,” he added. Mikeala Smith, a graduate clinical social work student from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, also didn’t plan on entering the dance competition. “I got invited by one of my sisters from
CUS continued
Once the interests felt ready to precede in gaining membership into the sorority, they reached out to the Area Expansion Officer, Cynthia Santiago-Pagan, for the next steps into becoming a sister. Flores-Juarbe feels that CUS is different from other Latina sororities because CUS not only focuses on academics, but they also focus on educating the community. “We want to be sure that our campus and local communities are aware of issues that directly affect them,” said FloresJuarbe. Although the organization has already begun to make great strides, the women do face challenges in becoming a chapter. The university will not recognize the
my sorority, Chi Lota Pi, Inc.,” she said. Smith ending up winning first place in the salsa Jack and Jill competition with her partner Alex Wilson. “I’ve never done this before,” Smith said. “But my mom is Trinidadian and we always danced around the house,” she said. “We wanted the Latino community united through music,” said Chris Martinez, president of Gamma Phi Sigma fraternity. “The food, music, and culture – we need to keep it all alive,” he said.
ALPFA continued
colony as a chapter until there are eight members. Also, since they are the only two sisters, Cruz and Flores must split between them all the officer positions. “Our biggest challenge right now is that we are so small, we have to work twice as hard for people to know who we are and what we’re about,” said Cruz. Nonetheless, Cruz and Flores are looking forward to expanding the colony and becoming a chapter. “I would hope that we attract women who are interested in making a positive difference for their community and are willing to step outside of their comfort,” said Flores-Juarbe. “Because at the end of the day they will have support from their sisters.”
support each other and collectively work towards achieving our professional and personal goals,” said Avilene Rubio-Palencia, an accounting and information systems double major and current secretary. The ALPFA-UMD chapter also strives to reach out and recruit many other students of all ethnicities and a wide range of majors. “We’re aiming to reach out to students outside of business too, everyone can benefit from networking, no matter what major because we are all professionals,” said co-founder Ivana Mejias. “The students in ALPFA-UMD will be the best of the best,” said Canales.
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Allan Gonzalez
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