7VI SI ONSSTAFF Edi t ori nChi ef&Nat i onalDi r ect orofCont ent J as ondeLeon XiChapt er Uni v er s i t yofOk l ahoma,Spr i ng’ 16
Vi cePr esi dentofMar ket i ng Lat eefI pay e XiChapt er Uni v er s i t yofOk l ahoma,Spr i ng‘ 09
Wr i t er s J os eManuel Lar a
Et aChapt er Sam Hous t onSt at eUni v er s i t y ,Fal l ’ 10
Ni c ahol asT al amant ez
Bet aRhoChapt er Wes t er nMi c hi ganUni v er s i t y ,Fal l ‘ 16
Dei ont eHar v ey
Al phaUps i l onChapt er Uni v er s i t yofFl or i da,Fal l ‘ 17
Edwi nRomer o
Al phaOmi c r onChapt er Uni v er s i t yofT ex asatDal l as,Fal l ‘ 13
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TABLE OF CONTENTS '18-'21 National Executive Council
Introduction of the new NEC board. 4
Presidential Address
President Tony Pagliocco addresses the brotherhood
5-6
Editor's Corner
Welcoming of the new Editor in Chief. 7-8
National Alumni Association
NAA update from NAA Chair , JJ Chapa 9-11
Everlasting Eta Chapter
Recapping Eta's 10 year anniversary.
12-13
New Year, New North Texas Region
With a new region realignment, the North Texas Region face new challenges, old rivalries, and high expectations. 14-16
7-8
7Visions Magazine 2
TABLE OFCONTENTS CONTI NUED MySt udyAbr oadExper i ence
Ni chol asTal amant ezshar eshi sj or neywhi l e st udyi ngabr oad. 1718
St udyAbr oadi nJapan
Dei ont eHar veyt al ksabouthi sexper i encei n Japan. 1920
Fl or i daEnt i t yWor kswi t hLocal Nonpr of i tt oAddr essHuman Tr af f i cki ng
Br ot her satUni ver si t yofWestFl or i dapar t i ci pat ed i nt heA21wal kt or ai seawar nessf orhuman t r af f i cki ng. 2123
Uni t edWeDr eam
Hi ghl i ght i ngbr ot her sacr osst henat i on gi vi ngbackt ot hei rr espect i vecommuni t i es. 2426
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Nat i onalExecut i veCounci l Ter m 20182021
TonyPagl i occo
LongLe
RubenHer nandez
MannyDi az
Lat eefI paye
JesusApodaca
Tayl orBaca
JoseJi menez
Dom Covi ngt on
Nat i onal Pr es i dent
VP,Leader s hi p& Dev el opment
VP,Fi nanc e
VP,Under gr aduat eAf f ai r s
VP,Mar k et i ng
VP,Member s hi p Engagement
VP,Oper at i ons
VP,Technol ogy
Nat i onalUnder gr aduat e Repr esent at i ve
I r wi nBar cenes
Nat i onal Under gr aduat e Repr es ent at i v e
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Le t t e rf r o mt hePr e s i d e nt
TONYPAGLI OCCO
Nat i onal Pr esi dent ,OmegaDel t aPhi Fr at er ni t y ,I nc. Hol i dayGr eet i ngst oal lmyKni ght s, Asweheadt owar dst heendof2018andsee2019ont hehor i zon,i ti sr ef r eshi ngt oseer enewedent husi asm andr evi t al i zat i onacr osst hevar i ousr egi ons.Thi si st het i meofyeart hat Il ov ebec auseIseet hei nf i ni t ecycl eofBr ot her hoodi nOmegaDel t aPhi .NewBr ot her sj oi n ourf ami l y ,ot herBr ot her sgr aduat ei nt ot heal umni wor l d,butr egar dl esst hecycl econt i nues, asi thass i nce1987. I nNov ember ,t heExecut i veCounci lmetf orouryear l yf acet of aceandwedi scussedwhat ourbus i nes svi si onandgoal sar ef ort heshor tt er mi n2019andf ort hel ongt er mi n2020 and2021.Iwasext r emel yexci t edt oseehowt henewt eam wor kedt oget her ,col l abor at ed ont ac t i c s ,andi ngener al ,devel opedaver yt ar get edpl an.Focusi ngonac t i vemember shi p i ncr eas es ,r ecr ui t mentsuppor t ,f i nancegr owt h,andunder gr aduat eeducat i onar egoi ngt o bei mpor t antf orust oengageandsucceedi nt ocont i nueourgr owt h. Mov i ngf or war d,wehavei dent i f i edt womeasur eswewantt omoni t orsowemaymeasur e ours uc c es s .Wewantt oi ncr easeunder gr aduat eact i vemember s hi pby25% andi npar al l el wewantt or eachourgoalofbui l di nga$50, 000pi pel i neofsust ai nabl e,ever gr eenr ev enue t hatwi l l al l evi at edependencyonmember shi pduesandal l owf ornewpr oj ectwor k,r esour ce gr owt h,andmor e.I nr evi ewi ngourst r engt hsandweaknesses,wehavei dent i f i edt hatt hese ar eahi ghv i si bi l i t yandwi t houtachange,wewi l l f acebi ggerpr obl emsdownt her oad.
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Iwasi mpr es sedandmot i vat edbyseei ngt heent husi asm t hatwasbr oughtt or ecr ui t mentatt he begi nni ngoft hesemest er .Iwashappyt oseemor eengagementi nsomer egi onsandal so seei ngmor ecomi ngt oget herofdi f f er entchapt er sandcol oni est ohel pmover ecr ui t mentf or war d.Iwasal soecst at i ct oseesomeofourcol oni est hatwer eseemi ngl yonl i f es uppor tayear ago,r ev i t al i z edandr eadyt oat t ai nchapt erst at usagai n.Thi si st heki ndofwor kandexecut i on t hatk eepsmegoi ngbecauseseei ngourBr ot her ssetagoal ,t henat t ackandc onqueri tr ei nf or cesmybel i eft hataKni ghtofOmegaDel t aPhi cannotbest oppedbyanyt hi ng. I nt hes pi r i tofhonest y ,Iwi l lbet r anspar entt hatwef acechal l engesasanor gani zat i on,butt he r eal i t yi st hatever yor gani zat i oni sf aci ngsi mi l archances.Thei mpact sofhi ghpr of i l ehazi ngi nci dent sac r ossGr eekLi f edonothel pusaswet r yt ogr owandexpandbutt hegoodpar ti st hat t hi sopensanoppor t uni t yf orust oeducat et heseschool st hatOmegaDel t aPhii snotyourt ypi cal f r at er ni t y .Wear eaBr ot her hoodt hatper soni f i esi t sval uesi nourdai l yl i vesbutwear e human,wemakemi st akes,andwel ear nf r om t hem.Whatcal msmet houghi st hatIknowwe haveBr ot her sacr osst henat i onwor ki ngashar daspossi bl et osucceedi nschool ,wor k,and communi t y .IknowourBr ot her shavepassi on,br ai ns,anddedi cat i onbutt odef eatt hesechal l engeswemustcol l abor at e,cooper at e,andst opt al ki ngaboutdoi ngt hi ngsandj ustdot hem. Ther ec omesapoi ntwher ewemustst opmaki ngexcusesandt aker esponsi bi l i t yf orourwi ns andl os s es .Wewi l lhaveoursuccessesandwewi l l haveourf ai l ur esbuti fwear ehonestwi t h our s el v esandourgoal swecanl ear nf r om t hem andcont i nuet ogr owpr of essi onal l yandacademi c al l y .I fwecont i nuet ol i veoursacr ament sandr ememberouract i onsr epr esenteachot her , Iseenot hi ngt hatcanhol dusback. Whi l ewehave,agoodsi zedt eam ser vi ngont heNECandi nourDi r ect orr ol es,wewi l lnotbe succ es s f ul unl essweexecut eonwhatwepr omi set odobutALSO onl yi fouract i vemember s ex ec ut eandf ol l owt hr oughont hei rcommi t ment st hatt heymaket oourBr ot her hood.Wemust wor kt oget her ,wemusthol deachot heraccount abl e,andwemustbewi l l i ngt oputi tal lont he l i net or eac hourgoal s.Thosewhohavet hepassi onanddesi r et oseeourBr ot her hoodsucceed wi l l bepar toft hef ut ur eofOmegaDel t aPhi .I ' vesai daf ewt i mest hi ss emest ert hati fyouar e notwi l l i ngt ost epupandbepar toft hechance,t henyoumayhavet or eeval uat ewhyyouar ea memberoft hi sor gani zat i on. Wehav eal otcomi ngdownt hepi pel i nei n2019andI ' m exci t edt oseei tr eachf r ui t i on.I ' m ev enmor eexci t edt opar t nerwi t hourunder gr adsandr ai set hebar .Thet i mei snowandanyt hi ngel s ear ej ustexcuses. I t ' st i mef ors omeact i on.I t ' st i met ogetHYPE. I nTr ueBr ot her hood TonyPagl i oc co Nat i onal Pr esi dent ,OmegaDel t aPhi Fr at er ni t y ,I nc.
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Wel comet o 7Vi si omsMagazi ne: Vol ume8 I ssue3 Fal l2018
Al i t t l eov ert woyear shavepassedsi nceact i vat i ngi nt ot hebr ot her hoodofOmegaDel t aPhiFr at er ni t y ,I nc or por at ed.I nt hesef ewyear st hathavepassed,Ihavebeenheavi l yi nvol vednotonl y atmyhomec hapt erbutal sowi t ht heOk l ahomaAl umni Associ at i on,t heCent r alPl ai nsr egi onof OmegaDel t aPhi ,andnowont henat i onal l evel .Iam exci t edt oser veast henewDi r ect orof Cont entandEdi t ori nChi eff or7Vi si onsmagazi nef ort he20182021t er m. Bor nandr ai s edi nOkl ahomaCi t y ,Okl ahoma,Ineversawmysel fgoi ngGr eeknorevenget t i nga hi ghereduc at i on.Iact i vat edi nt ot hi sgr eatbr ot her hoodbacki nt hespr i ngsemest erof2016as par toft heAl phaKappal i neoft heXoTi ght Xi Chapt erofOmegaDel t aPhi .Thi spastMay ,Iwas pr oudl yabl et ocal lmysel fanal um oft hecl assof2018.Recei vi ngmybachel or ’ sdegr eef r om t he Uni ver s i t yofOkl ahoma,Idi dnotst opt her e,asIam cur r ent l ypur si ngmymast er ’ sdegr eef r om myal mamat er . Icanbes er i ousmostt het i mebutdonott hi nkIdonotl i ket ohavef unandenj oyl i f e.Ever yone whoknowsme,wi l lt el lyout hatIl i ket ot r avel ,hel pot her s,andgenui nel yl i vei nt hemoment .My mot i vat i onev er ydayi st oseewhatever ydayhasi nst or ef orme.It r yt ost aybusyt okeepmy mi ndr unni ng,If eeloutofpl acedoi ngabsol ut enot hi ng.Enoughofmef ornowandIwi l ll ety ou al l enj oyt henewi ssueof7Vi si ons.
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I nt hi si ssue,youwi l lr eadst or i eswr i t t enbysever albr ot her s whopr ovi dedi nsi ghtont hei rper sonalj our ney ,al ongwi t ha f ewupdat eswi t hr egar dst ot hef r at er ni t y .Iam exci t edt obe t henewEdi t ori nChi efof7Vi si onsandcont i nuet oexpand andi mpr ovet hemagazi net ogr eat erhei ght s.Iwantt ogi vea bi gt hankyout oal lt hebr ot her swhohel pedcont r i but et omy f i r sti ssueof7Vi si onsasEdi t ori nChi ef .Ial sol ookf or war dt o wor ki ngwi t hbr ot her si nt henearf ut ur e. Anyl et t er st ot heedi t or ,st or yi deas,oranyonewi shi ngt ocont r i but et of ut ur ei ssues,pl easecont actmeat ,di r ect or . cont ent @omegadel t aphi . or g. I nt r uebr ot her hood, JasondeLeon XiChapt er ,AKLi ne,Spr i ng16 Edi t ori nChi ef ,7Vi si onsMagazi ne
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Nat i onalAl umniAssoci at i on Updat e
Chai r man’ sMessage
J. J.Chapa NAAChai r man
AsIent ermyl astyearast hechai r manf ort he Nat i onal Al umni Associ at i on,i thasbeenmypr i vi l eget oser veyou.I nal lmyexper i encesi npol i t i cal l i f e,f unddevel opmentandpubl i cr el at i ons,I havemetmanymenwhower econnect edt oa f r at er nalbr ot her hood.Ever yoneoft hem have us edt hei rf r at er nalnet wor ksoci al l y ,pr of essi onal l yandasawayt oconnectasment or swi t ht hei r f el l owbr ot her s. Wear eayoungf r at er ni t y .Af t er gr aduat i on,net wor ki ngi scr i t i calt oourf ut ur esuccessasl eader si nourcommuni t i es,pr of essi ons andf ami l i es.St ayi ngconnect edwi t hyourbr ot her saf t erwegr aduat ei scr i t i calt onotonl yusi ndi vi dual l ybutal sot ot hef ut ur esuccessofourf r a t er ni t y .Wear eheadedi nt her i ghtdi r ect i onbut wehaveaver yl ongwayt ogo.Myvi si oncont i nuest obet hatt heNAAwi l lonedaybeabl et o hel pf undapai dexecut i vedi r ect ort of aci l i t at eour gr owt handf unddevel opmentonaf ul l t i mebasi s. Sadl y ,Iwi l l f al l shor tonbei ngabl et ogetust o t hatpoi nt ;butIwi l l r emai nst eadf asti nt hehopes andact i onst hatwi l l getust ot hatpoi nti nt he nearf ut ur ewhet herI ’ mt hechai r manornot .I ti sa t al l t askt oaskvol unt eer st ogetust owher ewe needt obebutwehaveal wayshadpl ent yof gr eatbr ot her swi l l i ngt ost epupandser ve.I nt he t i mebei ng,pl easel ookt owhatyoucandot o hel pyourbr ot her hoodr eachnewhei ght s.Shoul d Ibeabl et oassi styoui ndi vi dual l yi nanyway; pl easef eelf r eet or eachoutatanyt i me. I nBr ot her hood, J. J.Chapa,NAAChai r man 2148370010 j j chapa@naaodp. com
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2018Member shi pDr i ve
The2018Member shi pDr i vehasconcl udedand hasaddedanaddi t i onal 157member st oourr ol l s f ort he2018y earsof ar .Member shi pi scur r ent l y onl yopent onewgr aduat esi nt hemont hsof NovemberandDecember .Member shi pf ort he 2019yearwi l l openonJanuar y1stf ort henext y ear .
2019Member shi pDr i ve ( www. Joi nNAAODP. com)
Thegoalf ort heNAAf ormember shi pi n2019 wi l l bet or egi st er1, 000member sandest abl i sh anaddi t i onal 5l ocalal umniassoci at i ons.Tof i nd t hemember shi ppagef ort heNAAvi si t www. Joi nNAAODP. com.
The2019member shi ppi nandchal l engecoi n New Gr aduat esFal l / Wi nt er wi l l bedesi gnedar oundBETA( pi n)andGamma Fal l / Wi nt ergr aduat esar e ( chal l engecoi n)chapt ert hi syear .Movi ngf or encour agedt or egi st er war d;wewi l ldesi gnourmemberpi nsandc oi ns wi t ht heNAAt or ecei ve t ohi ghi ghtchapt er s.The2018pi ns/ coi nswer e gnedt ocommemor at eAl phachapt erand t hei rNAAMemberpi nas desi soonast heygr aduat e. 30year sofourest abl i shedbr ot her hood.The Ther ei snocostf ornew cur r entpi nandchal l engecoi ndesi gnsar ei nt he gr aduat est oj oi nt heNAA. wor ksandt hei mageswi l lber el easedi nDeTher ewi l l al sobeacr oss- cember .The2018pi nsar eavai l abl ef orpur i ngcer emonyf oral l new chasei fyouar eanNAAmemberf or$30f ort he gr aduat esatournextNat i onalConvent i on.Ri ch- set . ar df r om Del t ahascont i nuedt oser vei ncr eat i ng t hi st r adi t i ont hatwi l lcar r yovereachyear .Mor e Emai lj j chapa@naaodp. com t opl aceyouror der . i nf or mat i onwi l lber el easedi nt i met oyourNAA emai l saf t ery ouhavegr aduat edandj oi nedt he NAA.
Updat edNAABoar dPosi t i ons
J oseLar a( Al phaOmi cr on)st eppeddownf r om hi spos i t i onast heNAABODRepr esent at i ve. Lar ahasal way sbeenast al war ti nhi sadvancementoft hef r at er ni t yi never ycapaci t yhehas ev erser v edandwi l lbemi ssed.LupeOzuna( Tau) Bui l di ngonourLocal wi l l bes t eppi ngi nt ot heposi t i onandbr i ni nghi s l ongf r at er nal r esumet oser vei nt hi scapaci t y Al umniAssoci at i ons movi ngf or war d. Manyal umni i nt hei rr espect i vear easar ewor ki ngcol l ect i vel yt oest abl i sht hei rl ocalal umniassoci at i ons.Al ocalal umniassoci at i oncanbe ar eaorchapt erbased.I fyouar ei nt er est edi n bei ngt hef ounderofachapt erbasedorar ea basedal umni associ at i onpl easecont act Chai r manJJChapaat2148370010.
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Nat i onalAl umniMember shi p Car ds Youcannowpr i ntoutyourNAAmembercar d i nyourmemberaccountdashboar dwhenyou r egi st er .Thec ar dsal sol i stcompani est hat of f erdi s c ount st oyouasamember .
Fundr ai si ngf or2019
TheNAAhashadonl yoneexpendi t ur ei nt hel ast3year s.I twast ohel pest abl i sh( wi t ht he NEC)t hec or r ectbusi nessst r uct ur ef ort hef r at er ni t yandal l subgr oups( LAA’ s,Chapt er s) . Thi swasaneedal ongt i mecomi ng.Thi swasapr et t yl ar geexpenset hathasdepl et edour f unds.Whenc onsi der i ngyourmember shi pl evel nextyear ,t heNAAi saski ngf ormor epai d member s hi psof$30,$100,$250,$500or$1000.
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E v e r l a s t i ngE t a ByJoseManuelLar a
Et achapt erwaschar t er edatSam Houst onSt at eUni ver si t yi nHunt svi l l e,Texas.The mosti nt r i gui ngpar tofEt a’ shi st or yi st hati tdoesn’ tbegi ni n2008.Ourhi st or yact ual l ybegani nt heear l ymont hsof1992 ast hevi si onofEt abecamear eal i t y . Besi dest heSam Houst onst at ue,t hecampuswasmi ssi ngsomet hi ngdi f f er entwhi ch wasaf r at er ni t ywher et her ei snodi scr i mi nat i onbet weenmenandmember shi pi s encour agedt opeopl eofdi f f er entet hni ci t i es,per sonal i t i esandbackgr ounds.Thr ee mencamet oget herbyt henamesofRodneyVi l l al f r anca,Mar kMal donado( Omega Chapt er ) ,andDannyTor r esast he1stgener at i onofEt awhi chwasf oundedonSept ember22,1992.Et aChapt erhashadi t sf ai rshar esofupsanddowns.Duet of aci ng somehar dshi ps,t hechapt erwasunf or t unat el ycl oseddowni n1995.
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Af ewyear sl at er ,a2ndat t emptwasputi n pl acet obr i ngbackOmegaDel t aPhiback oncampus.Thi st i me,t hemenofvi si on wer e,RubenLuna,Ant honyMol i na,Roger Pal omi no,Car l osHi dal go,Car l osBar r on, andAugust i neMar t i nez.Thesemencame t oget hert ocont i nuewhatwasst ar t edback i n1992andEt awasf oundedonceagai non Apr i l 4t h,1998.Thi si st hef i r st t i meEt af l our i shesl eavi ngani mpactoncampust hr oughcommuni t y ser vi ceandf r om t i met ot i mecompet i ngi nt hest epshows.Thef r at er ni t ywasabl et ooper at ever y wel l ,t hr oughgoodandbadt i mes,f oraspanof8year sunt i l t r agedyst r uck.Thechapt erwascl osed onJanuar y24,2006. Af t era2y ears uspensi on,i nt hesemest erofspr i ng2008, 12di ver s ei ndi v i dual scamet oget hert obr i ngt he f r at er ni t ybac koncampus.I nt hef al l ,ont heHYPE Kni ghtofDec ember12t h,2008,t heEver l ast i ngEt a chapt erofOmegaDel t aPhiwasbr oughtbackt oSam Houst onSt at eUni ver si t ybyt he“ 12Kni ght sof Ever l as t i ngKr eat i on”f ora3r dt i me.Thosemenwer e, I anGar r i s on,Rober tRui z,Al vi nCar t er ,Ti t oRi zvi ,Gi l ber tRodr i guez, RaymondCal v i l l o,AndyWong,RubenGut i er r ez,Mi chael Conde,El enoEspi noza, Mi chael Deane,andAr mandoSot o.Thr oughadver si t yt heEt aChapt erofOmegaDel t aPhihasl i ved onf ort hi sl ong,hence“ Ever l ast i ng”Et achapt er ,bei ngbor n. Et ahasc omeal ongwayf r om wher et heyst ar t edbacki n1992.Wi t hhavi ngt hr eer ei ncar nat i onsof t heent i t y ,t hi sc hapt erhasbeenr el ent l essst r i vi ngt obeoneoft hebestent i t i esi nt henat i on.Thei r har dwor kanddedi cat i onwasevi dentwhent heywer eawar dedChapt eroft heYearatour2017 Nat i onal Conf er encei nDal l as,Texas.OnSept ember10t hi nSpr i ng,Texas,Et aChapt er cel ebr at edt hei r10yearanni ver sar yasanent i t y .
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Backi near l yAugust ,t heOmegaDel t aPhi wast r ansi t i oni ngnewl eader shi ppr i ort obegi nni ng t hef al l s emest erandt hatdi dn’ tst opt hef r at er ni t y .Oneoft hef i r sti ni t i at i vesf ort henewadmi ni st r at i onwasr egi onalr eal i gnment .Thet hr eer egi onsaf f ect ed:Cent r alPl ai ns,Cent r al Texas, andNor t hT exasRegi on. TheCent r al TexasRegi onaddedBayl or( Al phaXiChapt er )t ot hei rr egi onf r om Nor t hTexas whi l eCent r alPl ai nsandNor t hTexasr egi onswer ei mpact edt hemost .Nor t hT exasadded TexasT ec hUni ver si t y( Al phaChapt er ) ,WestTexas( Thet aChapt er ) ,andMi dwest er nSt at e Uni v er s i t y( MuChapt er )f r om Cent r alPl ai ns. Newl yappoi nt edVi cePr esi dentofUnder gr adAf f ai r sLongLesai dwi t ht henewl yest abl i shed Kans asSt at eent i t ycomi ngi nt ot hef ol df orCent r al Pl ai ns,r eal i gnmentwasemi nent .Lepr evi ousl ys er v edasCent r alPl ai nsRegi onal Di r ect or . “ Wehadt ogot odr awi ngboar danddeci dewhatwasbestf ort heses chool s.I ft heyhad st ayedi twoul dbeenover9hour sofdr i vi ngf ort heset hr eeschool s, ”Longexpl ai ned. Fors omeoft heexi st i ngent i t i esi nNor t hTexas,suchasUni ver si t yofNor t hTexas( Al phaChi Chapt er ) ,t hedeci si onwassomewhatsur pr i si ng.Bef or et her eal i gnment ,muchoft heNor t h TexasRegi onwasconcent r at edi nDal l asFor tWor t hmet r opol i t anar ea. “ Myi ni t i al t hought sont her egi onaddi ngnewent i t i eswasal i t t l eshocki ngatf i r st ,si nc esome ofournewc hapt er s,suchasAl phaandThet aar eacoupl eofhour sawayf r om usandnot r eal l yasc l os easot herchapt er si nourr egi on, ”chapt erpr esi dentJuanAr mi j osai d.
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ForMuChapt erPr esi dentJoseTor r es,t hemove t ooks omeadj ust ment ssi nceent er i ngNor t hTexas. “ It houghtabouthowwehadt omeetnewbr ot her sandadaptt oar egi onwi t hadi f f er entcul t ur e. Onhowwewoul dhavet ost ar toverandbepar t ofar egi onwhoseent i t i eshaveknowneach ot herf ory ear s, ”Tor r essai d.
“ However ,Ial sot houghtabouthowexci t i ngi t wasgoi ngt obet ohaveachangeandbepar tof somet hi ngnew,andt hef actt hatwewer en’ t goi ngt hr ought het r ansi t i onal onemadeever yt hi ngbet t er . ” Si ncet her eal i gnment ,MuChapt erhasembr acedt he change.I nf act ,t hechapt ert ookont hechal l engeofhost i ngt hef i r str egi onal summi tasanewent i t yi nt her egi on. Over al l t headdi t i onoft het hr ee newchapt er shaschangedt hec ul t ur eoft her egi on.AsNor t hTexasRegi onal Di r ect orBr y anPar r aexpl ai nedt hechangehas“ opened upol dr i v al r i es. ” “ Youhav ec hapt er st hatwer eest abl i shedi nt he sames emes t erYouhave3ent i t i eswi t hmust angsasmas cot s, ”Par r asai d. “ Lasty eary ouhadWestTexasA&M andTexas A&M Commer cepl ayi nt hedi vi si onI Ichampi onshi p( f oot bal l ) . ” Ul t i mat el y ,t hechangehasr ai sedt heover al lst andar dasar egi on.Whent het hr eenewent i t i es camei nt ot her egi on,t heywer er ankedatt opoft heNor t hTexasRegi on. “ Al lIcanaskf r om eachent i t yi st ohaveapl an f ori mpr ovementever ygi vensemest er , ”Par r a sai d. Wear ec r eat i ngacl i mat eofexcel l encewher epeopl ear econsi st ent l yl ooki ngt oi mpr ove.Once “ t hesemes t eri sover ,wewi l lonceagai nl ookatt henumber sandcr eat enewgoal s.Iseet hepot ent i al i nt her egi onandIknowf i r st handwhatt heyar ecapabl eof .I ti sal otmor ecompet i t i vei n t her egi onwi t h3newent i t i es. ”
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My St udy Abro ad Expe ri e ncebyNicholasTalamantez
Ihaves t udi edabr oad2t i mesnow.Thef i r stt i mewasashor tt er m exper i encei nHi gĂźer i t o,Domi ni canRepubl i c .Iam cur r ent l yst udyi ngi nGr anada,Spai nf ort hef al l 18semest er .Tr avel i ngt oanot her count r yt os t udyhasbeenagoal ofmi nef orqui t eawhi l e.Ist ar t edt hi nki ngabouti ti nhi ghschool andhaddec i dedt hen,t hatIwoul dachi evet hi sonceIgeti nt ocol l ege.Fundi ngf orst udyi ngabr oad i snots c ar c eandt her ear emanyavenuest ot akeadvant ageof ,andyoudonotev enhavet obe st udyi ngal anguaget obeel i gi bl e!Somef undi ngt ol ookoutf orar et heGi l manandBor enschol ar shi ps.Ther ear eof t engr ant sandschol ar s hi psof f er edf r om var i ouscol l egesanddepar t ment sacr oss yourownc ampusaswel l .Manypeopl ef i ndst udyi ngabr oadcheapert hanst ayi ngatt hei rhomeuni ver si t y;I thasbeenf r om myexper i ence.Whi l esomepeopl edonotwantt ospendawhol esemest er oryearabr oad,t hegoodnewsi st hatt her ear emanypr ogr amsof f er eddur i ngwi nt erbr eak,spr i ng br eakandf oraweekt o3mont hsi nt hesummer . Mygoal sf ors t udyabr oadhavebeent of i ndast r ongerconnect i onwi t hmyher i t ageaswel lasi mpr ovemyi nf l uencei nSpani sh.Ihavef oundsomuchmor et hough.Ihavehadpar adi gmsconst ant l y madeands hat t er edandIbel i evet hatIhavegr ownmor enotj ustasanAmer i canst udent ,butasa ci t i zenoft hewor l d.Whi l eabr oadIhavenotj ustl ear nedaboutt hecount r i esandcul t ur est hatIhav e l i vedi n,butIhaveal sol ear nedaboutt heU. S.f r om t heout si deandi t si nf l uenceonot herr egi onsof t hewor l d.
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Icansayt hati ti shar dnothavi ngasuppor tsyst em i naphysi cal pr oxi mi t yt ome,butIhav eal so gr ownal otasar esul t .Ibel i evet hati thasal sobr oughtmeanewper spect i veofappr eci at i onf ort he peopl ear oundme.I fyou’ r eal soj ustatapoi ntwher eyouneedachangeofpace,asemest erabr oad c anf eel l i k eamuchneededbr eak,whi l eal sokeepi ngyoui nt hegr ooveofyourst udi es.Assomeone whowasbur nedout ,t hi shasbeenabr eat hert hathasnotonl ykeptmeont r ackf orgr aduat i on,but t hathasal s omademesomuchmor emot i vat edt ogr aduat e!
I fyou’ r ec ons i der i ngst udyi ngabr oad,j ustdoi t .I fyouar ewor r i edaboutmoney ,l ookatwhi chcoun-
t r i esar et hec heapestt ost udyi n;weal t hi snotevenl yspr eadi nt hewor l d,andyourdol l armaygof ar t hert hany out hi nk.I fyouwantt ost udyabr oadf oras emest er ,buti twi l l putof fyourgr aduat i on,push of fgr aduat i on.Isayt hi sassomeonewhowasst r essi ngaboutgr aduat i ngont i me,assomeonewho hast al k edt omanysuper seni or swhoar eher ewi t hme,andaf t erhavi ngt al kedwi t hmanygr aduat es whor egr et t ednotst udyi ngabr oad.Whenwi l ly ougetanot hert i met or el ax,l i ve,andsi mpl yst udyi na f or ei gnc ount r yf orhal fayear ,wi t houthavi ngt owor r yaboutyourf ood,orhousi ng?Wi t hal loft he f undi ngt hati soutt her e,i tmaybet hecheapestwayt odoj ustt hat .Educat i oni snotj ustwhatyou r eadi nabook ,butwhatyouseeandexper i encef oryour sel fi nt hewor l d.Fi ndf i ndar eason,f i nda way .
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StudyAbroad I nJapan By:Dei ont eHar vey
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ThesummerIs penti nMat sue,Japanst udyi ngatShi maneUni ver si t ywast hemosti mpac t f uli nmy ent i r el i f e.Ihav ebeenst udyi ngJapanesesi ncet heageof9andgoi ngbackt oJapanwasoneofmy l i f el ongdr eams.Ienr ol l edi nt ot heUni ver si t yofFl or i dawi t ht hehopesofmaki ngt hi sdr eam come t r ue.Thej our neyt oShi manewast hel ongestt r avel exper i encet hatIeverhadi nmyl i f e.Iessent i al l y wental mos t4dayswi t hl esst han2hour sofsl eep,butt her ewasnotamomentt hatIf el tt i r ed.Iwas sol ook i ngf or war dt oar r i vi ngatmydest i nat i ont hatIwasener gi zedt heent i r et i me.WhenIar r i vedt o t heUni v er s i t y ,Iwasext r emel yover whel med.Asani nt er nat i onal st udentyoumustr egi st erwi t ht he postof f i c e,c i t yhal l ,heal t hi nsur ance,l ear nhowt opayyourbi l l sandmanymor et hi ngs.Mat suei si n suchar ur al ar eat hatnotsomanypeopl et her espeakEngl i shatal l .Thatr eal l ymadeever yt hi ngso muchmor ec hal l engi ng.Lucki l y ,t heUni ver si t yassi gnsJapanesepeert ut or swhohel pyouadj ustt o dai l yl i f eandc ompl et eal loft hoset asks.Ibecamever ycl oset omypeert ut or ,andwespental otof t i met oget her .Sheshowedmear oundMat sueandi nt r oducedmet oal otofnewf oods.I twasso comf or t i ngk nowi ngt hatt her ewasal wayssomeoneIcoul dt ur nt oi fIneededanyt hi ng.Thest udent s atShi manear esosuppor t i veofi nt er nat i onal st udent sandt hei reducat i ononJapanesel anguage andcul t ur e.Imadeal otoff r i endsdur i ngmyt i meatShi manewhoIst i l lkeepi ncont actwi t ht ot hi s day .Bec aus eoft hem,Ihaveamuchgr eat erunder st andi ngofJapanesecul t ur e,andmyJapanese l anguageabi l i t yi sbet t ert hanever .Thi sexper i encer ei gni t edmypassi onf orst udyi ngJ apaneseand gavememor ei deasaboutmyf ut ur ecar eeropt i ons. Whi l eIwasi nShi mane,Ihadt heoppor t uni t yt ot r avel andseehi st or i csi t esar oundShi maneandi n Hi r oshi maaswel l .Myf avor i t epl acet hatIvi si t edwasI t sukushi maShr i neonMi yaj i mai sl and.I twas oneoft hemos tbeaut i f ulnat ur al si t est hatIhaveeverseeni nmyl i f e.WhenIr et ur nt oJapanaf t er gr aduat i onIdef i ni t el ywantt ovi si tt her eagai n.Outofever yt hi ngt hebestpar tofmyexper i encei n Japanwast heoppor t uni t yIhadt ovi si tt heci t ywher eIwasbor n.Yokohamai ssobeaut i f ulandt her e wer esomanyt hi ngst osee.Whi l eIwast her e,Iwasabl et omeetmyyoungersi bl i ngsf ort hef i r st t i me.They ’ r ebot hJapaneseandhavel i vedi nJapansi ncet heywer ebor n,sowe’ vebeensepar at ed ourent i r el i v es .Iwi l lneverbeabl et oputi nt owor dst heemot i onsIf el tuponbei ngabl et omeetand spendt i mewi t hbot hoft hem.Iam sogr at ef ul andel at edt ohavehadt hechancet of ul f i l loneofmy dr eams .
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UWF:Ma ki ngMe a ni ng f ul Pa r t ne r s hi pt oa ddr e s s Huma nTr a f f i c i ngi nFl or i da By :La t e e fI pa y e
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Thebr ot her satUni ver si t yofWestFl or i da
“ Lear ni ngaboutt hehumant r af f i cki ngepi demi ci n
( UWF)par t i c i pat edi nt heA21wal kt or ai se
Fl or i daandseei ngt hatt hi scausehasbeen
awar enes sf orhumant r af f i cki ng.Hos t edby
t akenupbysomanymenandwomenofal lages
Guar di anadLi t em f ort he3r dyear ,Recr ui t -
i st r ul ybr eat ht aki ng, ”Hawt hor nesai d.
mentCoor di nat orJoanI r bysai dt hewal kover 300par t i c i pant st hi syear .Guar di anadLi t em
“ Meet i nghi ghSchoolandmi ddl eschoolst udent s
f al l sundert heCASAumbr el l a( Cour tAppoi nt - whower eabl et ost ar tcl ubsont hei rschool edSpec i al Advocat es) .
gr oundst or ai seawar enessf ort hi spr obl em f el t l i keacal lf ort heUni ver si t yofWestFl or i dat odo
“ Wewal kdownt hemi ddl eofPensacol aand
somet hi ngmor e. ”
havet abl ess etupwi t hdi f f er entagenci est hat wor kwi t ht het r af f i ckedpopul at i onadul tand chi l dr en,l abort r af f i c,sexualexpl oi t at i on,i ndent ur eds er vi t udeanddebtbondaget ogi ve f ol ksanex ts t epaf t erawar eness, ”I r bysai d. Thes t at eofFl or i dar ankst hi r di nmosthuman t r af f i c k i ngc asesi nt hecount r y .UWFVi cePr esi dentRogerHawt hor nesai dpar t i ci pat i ngi nt he wal kwasani nspi r i ngexper i ence. Bef or ebecomi ngamemberoft hef r at er ni t y , Hawt hor nespentt woyear sasar esi dent i alassi st antont heUWFcampus.I nt hatr ol e,hehada st udentwasatr i skofbei ngt r af f i cked. “ Thatexper i encef r om mypastaswel last her eal st or i esf r om peopl ewemett hr ought hi swal kar e t her easonst hatt heUWFCol onywi l lbededi cat i ngourFounder ' sWeekevent st opr ovi di nga
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week’ swor t hofeducat i onal pr ogr ammi ngandsmal lgr oup t r ai ni ngonhowt oi dent i f yand engagewi t hs omeonewho mi ghtbeatr i s kofbei ngi na t r af f i ck i ngs i t uat i on, ”heexpr essed. Asi def r om par t i ci pat i ngi nt he A21wal k ,t hebr ot her sf or med al ocal par t ner shi pwi t h Guar di anadLi t em wher et hey havec ol l abor at edonsemi nar s,f undr ai s er sandi nf o sessi ons .I r byment i onedt hat member satUWFhavebeen agr eatas s ett or eachi ngt hei r goal . “ Theyhav ebecomever y ver sedats peaki ngaboutt he pr ogr am andt hebenef i t st o ourf os t erc hi l dr enandhel pedmewi t hevent ssuchast heA21Wal kt oFr eedom andaHuman Tr af f i c k i ngs y mposi um hel datt heuni ver si t y , ”shesai d. “ Icur r ent l yhav eonemembergoi ngt hr ought hepr ocesst obecomeachi l dadvoc at ewi t ht hepr ogr am.I thasbeenanamazi ngcol l abor at i onf orourpr ogr am aswewor kdi l i gent l yt of i ndadvocat esf orev er ychi l di nt hef ost ersyst em. ”
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Amont hbef or et he2018mi dt er m el ect i ons, hi st or ywasal r eadyt aki ngpl acei nMi ami , Fl or i da.Fr om Oct ober5t hr u7,t heSunshi ne St at ewel c omed1, 500f r eedom f i ght er sf r om al l overt henat i on,i ncl udi ngt hr eeofmy f el l owKni ght sandyour st r ul y . If i r stl ear nedaboutt heUni t edWeDr eam Congr es sal mostayearear l i erwhent r avel l i ngt oWashi ngt on,D. C.wi t ht heUWDf ami l y .Thi swas myf i r s tunf or get t abl eexper i encewi t hUni t edWeDr eam,t hel ar gesti mmi gr antyout hl ednet wor k i nt hec ount r y .I nDecember2017,over1, 000DREAM war r i or smar cheddownt hest r eet sofour Nat i on’ sc api t alandf l oodedt hehal l sofCongr esswi t hor angeshi r t sandt henot abl eor angebeani es.Wewer et her edemandi ngt hatCongr essnotl eavemi l l i onsofi mmi gr antyout hl i vi ngi nuncer t ai nt y .Thel i v esofabout800, 000i mmi gr anty out hwer el ef ti nl i mbowhent hecur r entadmi ni st r at i oni nt heWhi t eHousedeci dedt oendt heDACApr ogr am,butwhatweaskedf orwasaper ma nents ol ut i ont hatwoul dpr ot ectabout3mi l l i oni mmi gr antyout hf r om depor t at i onandpr ovi dea pat ht owar dsc i t i zenshi pyear sl at er .Wewer et her ef i ght i ngf oracl ean,per manentl egi sl at i on cal l edt heDREAM Act .
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Ial sometbr ot herVi ct orf r om Okl ahoma.Hewasn’ tt oohar dt of i nd,si ncehepr oudl ywor ehi sl et t er sac r os shi schest .Hewasassi gnedast hephot ogr apherofhi sgr oup,sohewasput t i ngi nhi s wor kl i k eat r ueKni ghtofOmegaDel t aPhi .Ibr i ef l ymetabr ot heri nsi deoneoft hehal l sofCongr essandIwi l lcal lt hi sbr ot herDavi dt het r avel er .Ourencount erwasl i t er al l yasl ongasi tt akes f oranel ev at ordoort ocl ose,buti t ’ sal waysgr eatt omeetabr ot heroutf i ght i ngf ordi gni t yandr espectf oral l peopl e.Br ot herAbr aham Di azf r om RGVwasal soamongt hef r eedom f i ght er s,as us ual .Youc anal wayst r ustt oseebr ot herAbef arf r om homebutal waysf i ght i ngf ort hebet t er ment ofhi sc ommuni t y .Hei st r ul ybr i ngi ngposi t i vechanget ot hecommuni t yheser ves. I ti sal way sagr eatexper i enceadvocat i ngf orourcommuni t i esal ongsi dekni ght sf r om nearandf ar , butofc our s eIhadt or ol ldeepwi t ht woofmyf el l owchapt erbr ot her s,Ni ckHer nandezandAnt honyPer al t af r om myAl phaOmi cr on.Iwast oopr oudt oseebr ot herAnt honybr avel yacceptt ot akea l astmi nut eweekl ongt r i p,becausehewant st obeont her i ghtsi deofhi st or y ,t hesi deoft he peopl e. I nOct ober2018,atUWDCongr essanot herkni ghtj oi nst her estoft he1, 500f r eedom f i ght er s.The not or i ousbr ot herLui sAGonzal ezf r om Del t achapt ermadet het r i pt oMi amif r om Dal l aswi t ht he r estoft heNor t hTexasDr eam Team andot hercommuni t yl eader s.Af t ert hel i f echangi ngandempower i ngex per i encewi t hUWDmont hspr i or ,IknewIhadt obet her e.Asexpect ed,OmegaDel t a Phi waswel l r epr esent edatCongr ess.Ic anal wayscountonmyf el l owkni ght st obemaki ngadi f f er encewhi l es er vi ngt hei rcommuni t i es. Asi def r om educat i onalwor kshops,t hi sCongr essf ocusedagr eatdealonsel f car e.Thi swasi mpor t antf orbus ypeopl et hatf i ndi thar dt opr act i cesel f car e.TheAct i onpar toft hi sCongr essf ocusedonpas s i ngAmendment4i nt hest at eofFl or i da.Amendment4woul dr est or evot i ngr i ght st o about1. 4mi l l i onFl or i di anst hathadpr i orconvi ct i onsbutwhoser vedt hei rt i meanddi dn’ tgett hei r r i ghtt ov ot eback.Over1, 000ofuswal kedt hest r eet sofFl or i dat al ki ngt opeopl eaboutAmend ment4andwhatwasatst akedur i ngt hemi dt er m el ect i on.Iam pr oudt osayt hatonNovember6t h Amendment4wasappr ovedi nt hest at eofFl or i da,r est or i ngvot i ngr i ght st onear l y1. 5mi l l i onf or mer l ydi s enf r anchi sedFl or i di ans.Thi si sahi st or i cwi nf orci vi l r i ght sandIcanpr oudl ysayt hat Kni ght sofODPhipl ayedasmal l par ti ncr eat i ngsi gni f i cantchangeandmaki nghi st or yi nt hest at e ofFl or i daandt hecount r y .That ’ swhatser vi ngourcommuni t i esr eal l ymeanst ome.
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