Letter from the President
Dear Prospective and Current Students, Staff, Faculty, and Guests,
First and foremost, thank you for visiting HALO´s webpage and taking the time to read my message. My name is Stephanie Gomez, I am a senior graduating in May of 2008 and a 4th year returning member of HALO, 3rd year returning executive board member. I would like to thank everyone currently actively involved in HALO that helped me reach this position. I can remember coming to my very first meeting and being so scared because I didn´t know anyone at all. Yet I will never forget how welcome and at home everyone made me feel. There was a sense of comfort and friendship that I had never felt before. At that point, I was so thankful that I had found an organization that let me be myself and express my views. I loved being an active member and couldn´t wait to become part of the executive board. However, never did I imagine that I would be holding the presidential seat! But now that I am, I´m making it my duty to make this one of the best years HALO has ever seen!
I encourage anyone reading this right now to consider taking an active part of the Hispanic American Leadership Organization. Check out our meetings on Tuesday evenings at the MRC, help out with some of our volunteer opportunities, come eat and dance with us at our socials- we want YOU to become apart of our family. One of the components of the mission of HALO is to serve as a support system for our Hispanic and Latino students at the University of Kansas, but we need YOU to come and see what we are all about!
Lastly, I´d like you to think about what diversity means? Every person could have a different definition of this word, yet this idea essentially encompasses one thing: the differences among a group of people that define the very essence of those people. As president of the Hispanic American Leadership Organization for the 2007-2008 school year, I will see to it personally that HALO demonstrates and promotes diversity within our organization as well as celebrate those very differences that make us all individuals.
Thank you to all of our current members for their hard work and dedication- this organization wouldn´t be what it is without you all! And to any incoming members, I encourage you to get involved and see what HALO is all about. Trust me, you won´t regret it!
Adelante,
Stephanie Gomez
Hispanic American Leadership Organization
President 2007-2008
