As the school year comes to an end, Latinos Unidos remains an excited, vocal, and proud group.
Carlmont’s Latino club, Latinos Unidos, was founded on the premise of providing Latinos a place to come together to bond and feel safe and accurately represented.
Joshua Harris, a senior and vice president of the club, said, “Initially, the club addressed any political or social issues arising in our government in brief club meetings.”
This would help tighten their community and reinstate their political beliefs.
In regards to the presidential election, Harris said, “We did have lengthy conversations about America’s impending future but kept it to a degree of respect and political accuracy.”
Hazel Calderon, a senior and president of Latinos Unidos, said, “There are a lot of Latino students at Carlmont, but we are still a little part of the Carlmont community because we are going to a predominantly white school.”
According to Cañada College, Carlmont has significantly fewer Latinos and Hispanics compared to other schools in the district.
Demographics are constantly changing and new generations are finding ways to speak out.
“Latinos are beginning to voice their opinions against any discrimination as well as play larger roles in enacting change,” said Harris.
Both Harris and Bertalicia Godina, the club’s advisor, believe that diversity is a very significant part of Latinos Unidos. All students are welcome to join.
“Of course you don’t have to be of Latino background to be part of the club,” said Godina.
This year, Latinos Unidos participated in the Heritage Fair and Fortifying Bridges event and partnering with other ethnic clubs as well as ASB.
Harris said, ”The collaboration that Latinos Unidos has with other ethnic clubs is also very important in not presenting our struggle for representation as solely a Hispanic group, but for all cultures.”
Social bonding within the club’s Latino and non-Latino members is important as well as representing Carlmont’s Latino community both in and outside of school. Calderon hopes the club will become more recognized in school and the community.
Calderon said, “My goal for this club is to make more outside activities so students are not only involved inside of school but outside as well. It’s all about coming together and building a community… to educate on the other cultures that fall under Latinos.”
