The rhythmic drumming of a Capoeira group, a dance and song native to Brazil, energized the atmosphere of the “We Can Progress Together!” event held Thursday by the newly formed Latin American Student Association at the International Cultural Center.About 50 people attended the event, which consisted of a rundown of the organization’s visions and goals, as presented by group members Freddy Garces, Julia Chan, Wilmer Barrera, Carlos Garcia and Noel Novelo, as well as the announcement of LASA’s chair members and committees.LASA, founded by a group of individuals wanting to unify and integrate the Latin American community on campus, officially became a student organization March 2 and already has about 85 members.”We introduced the vision … mission, objectives and values of LASA by which we are going to pave the visions in the future,” said Garcia, doctural student and LASA secretary. “We are students … and we want to have an impact on the community.”The organization’s creation is attributed to the desire to bring together the University’s significant number of Hispanic undergraduates — 741 students in fall 2008 — and the students on campus interested in Latin American affairs, as well as integrating incoming Hispanic students into the community.”[Our] vision … is to make stronger relations between Latin American countries and the University,” Garcia said. “That’s our long-term perspective. In short term … our mission is going to be accomplished by … giving hospitality to the incoming students, sharing information between members and … their working environment, and integrating the new students into the Baton Rouge community and the student body of LSU, because we don’t want to be separated. We want to be part of it.”LASA’s membership is not limited to Hispanic students, and they are constantly looking for students to spread the word and become members.”Everyone interested in Latin American affairs is welcome to join,” Garcia said. “That’s the main goal.”In addition to exposing Latin American culture to students, LASA hopes to serve as an aid to new Hispanic students who are trying to make the transition from their home country to the University by providing five major values — integration, hospitality, information sharing, networking and solidarity. “When [the group’s founders] first came to LSU, many of us had needs and needed support,” said Wilmer Barrera, plant pathology graduate student and LASA president. “We want to provide that and show new students that they have a community that supports them … [while] establishing a presence and identity [for LASA] and pursuing better things for our student community.”One of LASA’s most important goals is making a positive impact in the community by bringing together the efforts, ideas and creativity of its members, Barrera said.Joining the organization would also be a great opportunity for non-Hispanic students to meet, interact and learn about a different culture, Garcia said. For example, it would be especially beneficial for those students who plan to do research in Latin America, giving them the opportunity to get used to the people and perhaps even brush up on their Spanish.”There’s [such a] variety of people you will find [in the organization],” Garcia said. “We have a mix of so many cultures, and we come together here, united by our common Spanish heritage and interest in the culture.”—-Contact Natalie Roy at [email protected]