A warm and welcoming atmosphere filled University Hall on Saturday, March 28 as students and alumni gathered for another one of Latin American Student Association’s (LASO) Leadership Conferences.
LASO has held a leadership conference every March for over ten years. The theme for this year was “Sembrando Semillas,” a sentiment focused on growth and community according to sophomore social media and public relations major Lorraine Peña, LASO’s publicity chair.
This spring marks Peña’s first term as an e-board member with LASO. The theme this year was her idea.
Lorraine Peña the morning of the LASO leadership conference.
Gianni Closeil | The Montclarion
“I really wanted this conference to be a place where students could be nurtured,” Peña explains. “And have people pour back into them.”
Peña hopes to use her experience as an e-board member to work with marketing and event management, she explained.
“When I think about Sembrando Semillas, I think of the ancestors before us,” Peña said, further emphasizing the importance of remembering “the people who guide you through life, who shine their light on you.”
LASO invited many guest speakers from alumni to faculty with Montclair State. The conference had almost ten different breakout sessions spread through the second floor of University Hall for the speakers to share their wisdom.
The event started with a keynote speaker, Alexis Delgado, the Dean of Student Success at Middlesex College. Delgado kicked off the conference with his own personal and heartfelt story of leadership and success. His speech highlighted inclusivity, grit and prioritizing one’s authentic self.
The event and its speakers were highly anticipated by its attendees, including a co-sponsor from the Puerto Rican Student Organization, Olivia Forde.
Junior jurisprudence law and society major Olivia Forde, historian of the Puerto Rican Student Organization (PRSO).
Gianni Closeil | The Montclarion
Forde is the historian for the organization and a junior jurisprudence law and society major. Some LASO events she’s attended in the past include their tabling and karaoke.
Forde appreciates that LASO contributes to “a lot of advocating and fundraising” to the community. In terms of the conference, she was most excited for the leadership aspects of their discussions.
“I do think that leadership is a huge and important role,” Forde said. “This is an important event to have.”
For anyone thinking of getting involved with LASO or any other student organizations, Forde emphasizes keeping an open mind, explaining that it’s key in being ready to meet new people.
“I do think that everyone here has the agenda of just wanting to do for others and see progress,” Forde said.
LASO’s positive and selfless community is something that their president, senior psychology major Anabella Pistilli, takes pride in.
President of LASO, senior psychology major Anabella Pistilli after Delgado concluded his speech.
Gianni Closeil | The Montclarion
“We are Latin-based, but not Latin-exclusive,” Pistilli said. “You will not find a place as welcoming as LASO, in my opinion.”
Pistilli has been involved with LASO since her sophomore year. When it comes to LASO events, she’s always loved their end-of-year banquet and “Canvases Para Carlos,” a yearly event focused on art and commemorating LASO’s founder.
If you ask Pistilli, she’d say that LASO is defined by their strong sense of unity.
“Thats our foundation,” Pistilli said. “At the end of the day, no matter what happens, we’re all a family.”
Something new about the LASO conference that Pistilli looked forward to was hearing from Chico Alvarez, one of the speakers they invited.
“We usually have business and STEM professionals speak,” Pistilli said. “But she’s an animation major, so it’s really cool that we were able to dive into the arts.”
Going forward, Pistilli plans to specialize in forensic psychology and get her PhD.
As for the theme of Sembrando Semillas for this year’s leadership conference, Pistilli hopes that the event will help students realize that there is always room to nurture their potential.
“No matter your background, there’s always a space for you,” Pistilli said. “You should be proud of that and own that space.”
