STORY BY RYLEE BRETTON
On Friday, September 6, FHSU students gathered together on Custer Lawm for Tacos with HALO. The event was coordinated by the help of HALO president, Eiran Saucedo, and with the partnership with a local restaurant “El Dos.” This event was the club’s first social event of the school year.
HALO stands for “Hispanic American Leadership Organization.” The main focus of this organization is to be a support system for LatinX students that attend FHSU.
“Many of our members experience a sense of culture shock when coming to Hays and we try to help create that sense of home away from home. We also try to empower our members by highlighting leadership opportunities on campus that range from the Tiger Team, Student Government, to Greek life,” said Saucedo.
“The focus of the event was to bring together past along with current members and for students to also be able to meet more people from the Hispanic community on campus and within the Hays area,” Saucedo said.
This year the group is striving for collaboration among different on-campus groups. To do that, members of the Tri Sigma sorority, Student Government such as Student Body President Brad DeMers and Community Relations Director Jacki Doughtery, a handful of international students from the Sias International University, and other FHSU students were welcome to attend the event.
The group also has a lot of events planned for the school year.
“We have Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off with TIDE in the quad on Friday from 11-1, the showing of the Cesar Chavez movie in Hammond Hall September 20 from 7-9. In October we are participating in Oktoberfest. We are also attending Kansas State University’s ‘Encuentro.’ It is a conference for all HALO members in the Midwest. We will also be volunteering in ‘Swipe Out For Hunger.’ We are also still planning a lot more events for later on in the semester and next semester, as well,” said HALO member Erick Mendez.
The event was enjoyed by many HALO members and non-HALO members, as well.
“I liked seeing the FHSU community gather for this event and eating good tacos,” said HALO member Daisy Perez.
“I thought the food was really good, and it was fun to hang out with people that i had not seen in a long time. It was really chill, and who doesn’t love free tacos?,’” said FHSU student Will Barfield.
To HALO members, the Taco Night also served as a good “kick off” for their club.
“Although this was our first event and we had a few complications here and there, it actually turned out to be an enjoyable experience. I was able to hang out and share food with some amazing people and I got to play my favorite music,” said Mendez.