Students walking by Russell House Patio might not know they are walking by a Latino student org — until they hear the music. The Latin American Student Organization, or LASO, aims to represent Latino students of all cultures and backgrounds while giving them a space to celebrate their Hispanic heritage at the university.
One student leading the way for this mission is Raquel Negrón, junior broadcast journalism major, who serves as the public relations director and works to engage more students in the organization.
Negrón found her way to South Carolina after transferring her sophomore year. Staying involved in her Latino culture was important, which is how she came across LASO.
Raised in Yonkers, N.Y., on the outskirts of New York City, Negrón recalls a childhood full of vibrant cultural celebrations — something she has found on a smaller scale at college.
“I see Columbia like a mini–New York City,” Negrón says. “I knew there was going to be less diversity than what I had experienced in the city, but when I joined LASO, it reminded me to open my horizons because there really are so many Latino people on campus.”
As a proud Latina, Negrón remembers being surrounded by family, music and dancing. She was on a competitive salsa dancing team growing up and got to practice at her grandmother’s frequent backyard cookouts and parties.
“My parents made sure I knew how to dance,” Negrón laughs. “So the music and dancing will definitely stick with me forever.”
With her family being several states away, Negrón has turned to LASO to stay in tune with her culture. Attending her first event last year, Negrón was invited to dance with some organization members and left the dance floor with new friends.
LASO aims to make all Latin-focused organizations more accessible to students on campus and promote visibility and cultural awareness.
Negrón loves being in front of the camera and is translating her passion for connecting with people into a broadcast journalism career. Getting hands-on experience in LASO overseeing public relations, Negrón uses social media to foster integrated cultural identities through diverse community events and celebrations.
Throughout the semester, students can find LASO at the Russell House for Lunes Latinos, complete with a professional DJ spinning Latin music. And for Hispanic Heritage month, LASO is holding its annual Sabor Latino event with free food, music and activities. And, of course, there will be room to dance.
“I hope that some day we will be even more represented as a group and people will know about the Latin community on campus,” Negrón says. “When we have our events, I hope students will walk by Russell and know about our organization and who we are as people.”