History

AMAS/MECHA/HALO

The formation of a Hispanic organization at The University of Kansas began in the fall of 1971, when a Chicano student established the Association of Mexican American Students, also known as AMAS. In 1974 the group changed its name to the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, known commonly as MECHA, to match the national organizations´ mission. In the spring of 1986, twelve Latino students at The University of Kansas voted to change the name of the organization to the Hispanic American Leadership Organization, which we know today as HALO, to encompass the diversity of Hispanic representation on the university campus. Despite the name changes, HALO still upholds the goals of the initial Hispanic student organization: to meet the many academic, social, and cultural needs of the Hispanic student population at The University of Kansas.

HALO´s motto of "Adelante" truly represents the growth of the Hispanic student population on the university campus and in society as we move onward and forward to a strong future. The symbol, which is a rising sun, represents a coming of age as Hispanic youth in the future.

Historical Facts:

The following are several notable facts of the AMAS/MECHA/HALO organizations.

  • Fall 1971: AMAS establishes itself on The University of Kansas campus. Its purpose is to: promote awareness of Chicano students and to meet their needs at KU; develop an identity and community among Chicanos at KU; and recruit more Chicano students to KU.
  • October 1973: AMAS Changes its name to MECHA. The Raza Association of Spanish Surnamed Americans challenges KU to hire a Mexican American recruiter on behalf of MECHA.
  • August 1974: MECHA´s office is located in the Student Union Room B109.
  • Circa 1980: MECHA hosts a statewide conference and called it the Movimiento Estudiantil-Council on Hispanic Affairs to focus on the unification and education of students through entertainment, speakers, workshops, exhibits, and the arts.
  • Spring 1986: MECHA changes its name and becomes the Hispanic American Leadership Organization because members felt excluded by the word Chicano in the former name. The current membership felt it was the right time to change the name. The new motto becomes "Adelante" instead of "Si Se Puede," and the colors adopted are red, black, and a silver outline.
  • 1989: HALO hosts the HALO Leadership Conference to unite the various Hispanic Youth organizations throughout the State of Kansas.
  • 1990: The Hispanics of Today (HOTs) Conference was created in collaboration with Kansas State University HALO and Washburn University.
  • August 1990: HALO hosts and celebrates the first Hispanic Heritage Month on campus.
  • 1992: HALO member Eladio Valdez III is honored by the HOTS Conference by establishing the Eladio Valdez III Awards which was to be given to a student who has shown outstanding leadership abilities.
  • 1996: HALO celebrates its 25th Anniversary on the KU campus with the theme of "Celebrating 25 Years of Hispanic Student Involvement."
  • 1999: LATINA Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Sandra Guzman, was the keynote speaker for the Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations.
  • October 2001: HALO joins the Hispanic Network (Latino Faculty and Staff) and host the first Hispanic parade on Jayhawk Boulevard.
  • September 2006: HALO celebrates its 35th Year Anniversary on the KU campus with the theme of "35 Years of Latino Excellence."

HALO Leadership

The following is a list of the members of AMAS/MECHA/HALO that have held the position of President and have led the organizations for the past 35 years.

Fall 1971 AMAS President Steve Rangel
Spring 1972 AMAS President Oswald Baca
Fall 1973 AMAS President Henry Avila
Fall 1973 MECHA President Tony Cardona
1974-1975 MECHA Chair Tony Mesa
Fall 1975 MECHA Chair Salvador Gomez
1977 MECHA Chair John Franco
1985 MECHA President Chris Rodriquez
1986 HALO President Raymond Lopez (spr 86)/Charles Garcia (fall 86)
1987 HALO President Mary Padilla
1988 HALO President Raymond Lopez
1989 HALO President Eladio Valdez III
1990 HALO President Angela Cervantes
1991 HALO President Louis Lopez
1992 HALO President Suzanne Racine
1993 HALO President Octavio Hinojosa
1994 HALO President Sandra Olivas
1995 HALO   President Matt Duran
1996 HALO President Sasha Flores
1997 HALO President Raymond Nevarez
1998 HALO President Aida Garcia/Adele Salazar
1999 HALO President Irad Orduna
2000 HALO Presidents Sarai Interiano/Kelly Martinez (grad spr 2000)
2001 HALO President Juan Toledo
2002 HALO Presidents Jose Interiano/Anissa Vitale (grad spr 02)
2003 HALO President Melanie Weiser
Spring 2004 President Andrea Pantoja
2004/2005 HALO President Andrea Pantoja
2005/2006 HALO President Victor Aguilar
2006/2007 HALO President Chris Munoz