New latino students welcomed to UT

Amid a clapping crowd of incoming freshmen and upperclassmen browsing organization booths, students in blue shirts jumped into a circle and performed fancy footwork, dancing to music Saturday at Gregory Gymnasium. The dancing was part of the sixth annual Sabado Gigante event, sponsored by the Latino Leadership Council, welcoming Hispanic freshmen to the University.

More than 500 people were in attendance at Sabado Gigante, which included an organization fair with 25 Latino organizations, entertainment by the Latin performing arts group Flor y Canto and speakers like the Dean of Students Teresa Brett.

Council members and volunteers from the different organizations held a telethon at the beginning of the year Fall 2005 semester to invite incoming Latino freshman to Sabado Gigante.

Mary Gonzalez, council co-director and ethnic studies senior, said Sabado Gigante provides interaction with older Latino students.

"I think for us the most important thing is they feel welcome, and they have a community," Gonzales said. "The Latin community is really strong here and a lot of students are coming from a predominantly Latin community."

Gonzalez added there can be a culture shock for freshman once they get to the University.

"You don't have the same food, and it can be a very overwhelming experience," Gonazlas said. "It's just to show them that people are here."

Sabado Gigante's location was moved from the Recreation Sports Center to Gregory Gymnasium because of the large number of participating students.

Coordinator of the event and council co-director Rebecca Acuna said when Sabado Gigante began only five to six people attended.

According to Stephen Torres, a Mexican-American studies senior, Sabado Gigante was formed when two students wanted their freshmen sisters to meet other Latinos in the UT community. Torres, who has been helping with Sabado Gigante for the past four years, said, "The event is so strong because people look forward to going back every single year."

Jennifer Vara, Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority member and sport management senior, said there are a lot of organizations and that many freshman can be shy. The sorority has been helping out for at least the past five years at Sabado Gigante.

Mamta Accapadi, assistant director of the Multicultural Information Center, which the leadership council is a part of, said the event builds community.

"We're here and we're family and that's a wonderful thing," Accapadi said.