LSU Scholarship Dance of March 23^rd marks 40^th year

By Kevin Milliken for La Prensa

March 5, 2013: The Latino Student Union (LSU) at the University of Toledo is putting the finishing touches on its Annual Scholarship Dance—the 40^th year for the event. The student-run organization hopes to attract 400 to 500 people to attend in honor of the anniversary.

“The students are all very excited, especially because it’s the 40^th annual dance. We want to show that we’re keeping LSU’s oldest tradition alive,” said Querino Espino, LSU president. “Plus, it raises scholarship money for the members. Besides being a fundraiser, it’s a social event.”

 Kookie Hernández of La Corporación

Since proceeds from the event go to fund UT Latino student scholarships, in effect, the students themselves are working to earn money to continue to pay for their education.

“That definitely motivates them to plan the event, set up, volunteer during the event and clean up afterward—knowing that they’re the direct beneficiaries,” said Espino, a  sophomore finance major.

Espino, who is from Toledo, served as LSU vice president until recently. He took over at the helm at the beginning of the spring term when the former president had to step down to handle some life issues. Espino also serves as vice president of Sigma Lambda Beta, Epsilon Alpha Chapter and treasurer of the Greek Independent Board at UT.

The students booked two musical acts: Tejano Sound Band and La Corporación, which play a variety of dance music, especially tejano. Both bands are based in Lansing, Mich., but gig frequently in the Toledo metro area.

Johnny and Richard Vásquez’s Tejano Sound Band was formed nearly 20 years ago when they and a brother-in-law got together to play music. Since then, a new lineup has continued a tradition of an entertaining sound, stage, and light show. Kookie Hernández and Arturo López’s La Corporación has been entertaining audiences for over 25 years. Both bands have recorded multiple CDs.

LSU’s executive board also is working on some special surprises for the event to mark its 40^th anniversary. But at press time, some of those details were still being worked out. The proceeds go directly to UT’s Latinos del Futuro and Unidos y Diversos scholarship funds.

“This is an event that is planned completely and put on by the students for scholarships for the students, so we’re working hard and showing the community that with their help we can succeed and we’re not going to let small challenges hold us back from our college careers and earning a degree,” said Espino, a Whitmer High School graduate.

Tickets are $10 presale and $15 at the door. The dance will be held Sat., March 23, 2013, 8 p.m. to midnight at the UT Student Union Auditorium, 2801 W. Bancroft. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at several local Latino businesses or reserved in advance by calling 419.530.4326.

On the Internet: https://laprensatoledo.com/Stories/2008/032808/LSU.htm

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Revised: 03/05/13 18:33:36 -0800.