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We launch our recognition of Women’s History
Month this March (2008) with a feature about a Latina striving to join
the mainstream by, what other than joining the most mainstream of US
organizations, the 4-H club. Soon to come Latinas making a difference.
4-H goes “Lateena”
By KATHERINE MICHALETS
The Freeman, Waukesha
Feb 28, 21:04
WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) - There are many reasons why Nancy Velasco joined
Lateeno Leadership 4-H Club, but most of all, she wants to share the
pride she has in her culture.
"I'm proud to be a Latina and I want to teach them that we're not all
bad. We're people just like them and we can do something
for this country,'' Velasco, 14, of Waukesha, said.
Velasco and 11 other Latinos in Waukesha have joined the Lateeno
Leadership 4-H club in order to share the Latino culture with the
community, to develop leadership skills, to acquire new skills such as
Native American dancing and to have fun.
Last Friday, the Lateeno Leadership 4-H Club was installed as the first
4-H Latino community club in Wisconsin.
"It's a great way for them to learn about American culture and to be a
part of American culture, which is essential,'' said Maria
Habib, 4-H youth development educator.
Most of the middle-school and high-school students involved in Lateeno
Leadership 4-H Club are first- or second-generation
Americans.
Velasco was born in Mexico and moved to Waukesha at age 10.
She has participated in programs for the Day of the Dead and at
churches.
She said she looks forward to demonstrating Mexican dances at the
Waukesha County Fair this year.
"It's a pride for me that they can know about my culture,'' Velasco
said.
Habib views the Lateeno Leadership 4-H Club as a great way for Latinos
to share their culture with other 4-H clubs in the area,
and vice versa.
Juana Avila, one of the two bilingual Lateeno Leadership 4-H Club
leaders, appreciates what 4-H has to offer the Latino community. She
said she wants the club to help erase stereotypes and for members to
share their cultural values, customs and foods with each other.
"The kids will be in their own environment and feel confident,'' Avila
said. "They will show pride in their culture and they will be able to
show how unique the Latino community is.''
Avila is working with the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha extension
program to develop leadership skills in the Latino
community. "They are using the same thing as other 4-H clubs, but also
important traits of the Latino culture,'' she said of Lateeno Leadership
4-H Club members.
Angela Gutierrez, 15, of Waukesha, joined the club because she likes to
keep busy and to spend time with her friends in the club.
"They offer you many things,'' she said, adding that she is planning to
volunteer at the county fair this year.
"I like all the things they are do -- the UW-Waukesha parties and to
keep myself busy during the week,'' Gutierrez said.
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