Vandal Challenge invites Latino students

      
By Yvonne Wingett
   Argonaut Staff

      

      
Angela Hernandez knew she wanted a college
      education. She just didn't know where. 

      


      In 1998, Hernandez participated in the Vandal Challenge, a program
      at the University of Idaho designed to promote higher education
      for Latino high school juniors and seniors in Idaho. 

      


      In 1999, she enrolled as a full-time student at UI, and is now
      majoring in Spanish and psychology.

      


      Hernandez was one of three participants in the 1999 Challenge
      who decided to return to UI after attending the program, which
      is sponsored by La Organizacion de Estudiantes Latino Americanos.

      


      OELA will present the fourth annual Vandal Challenge to 28 Latino
      students Oct. 5 through Oct. 8. The weekend's activities are
      free of charge to participants.

      


      Challenge arranges for the transportation and room and board
      of 20 to 30 Latino students from Idaho to the Moscow campus to
      experience "college life," Leathia Botello, interim
      coordinator of multicultural programs at the Office of Multicultural
      Affairs, said.

      


      Botello said OELA particularly targets high school students from
      southern Idaho because of its high Hispanic population. 

      


      She said high schools in Mountain Home, Kimberly, Twin Falls,
      Pocatello, Weiser and Burley have had a high participation rate
      in Challenge.

      


      Jaime Barajas, a 20-year-old sophomore studying criminal justice
      and vice president of OELA, said it is important for Challenge
      to recruit students from southern Idaho. 

      


      Typically, he said, Hispanic students don't want to move far
      away from home, so they attend Boise State University or Idaho
      State University.

      


      Barajas said Challenge allows UI to show off its campus, students,
      and faculty to potential students who may not normally have the
      opportunity to experience UI and the Moscow community.

      


      Hernandez said that when she came to UI and saw other Hispanics
      trying to pursue a higher education, it encouraged her to do
      the same. 

      


      She said when she participated, she felt as though the students
      and administration really cared about helping minority students
      receive a college degree.

      


      Challenge was implemented in 1997 by OELA, and since then, OELA
      has received support from the Dean of Students Office, College
      of Letters and Science, Student Affairs, and New Student Services.

      


      Participants this weekend will be welcomed to UI by Hal Godwin,
      vice president of student affairs. They will register for the
      ACT and SAT, research scholarships, attend college classes, tour
      the campus and selected living groups and attend a professor
      access forum. 

      


      Students will also attend workshops that focus on issues affecting
      the Latino community, such as a minimum wage bill for Idaho farm
      workers.

      


      Saturday OELA will sponsor "Latin DJ Mix," a dance
      for Challenge participants and UI students. 

      It will feature a variety of Latin music, and will be held in
      the Clearwater Room in the UI Commons at 9 p.m. Admission is
      free, but OELA will ask for donations. For more information on
      Challenge, call the Office of Multicultural Affairs  at 885-7716.
 

      
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