Wichita Kansas | October 10, 2024
By Byanet Alvarado & Claudia Amaro
On September 16, Wichita State University hosted a statewide HALO conference that brought together community leaders, high school, and college students, both new and longtime members of the organization.
HALO, which stands for Hispanic American Leadership Organization, helps Latino students find their identity, develop a sense of belonging, and strengthen their educational paths through high school and college.
Dr. Sara Mata, executive director of the Hispanic Services Initiative and adjunct professor of Intervention Services and Leadership, organized the conference at WSU for the first time. Dr. Mata believes HALO empowers young people by helping them define their identity and making them proud of their heritage.
“HALO helps them understand their culture and gives them strength in various aspects of life. Supporting them is important to me—it’s my passion and my purpose,” she said emotionally.
Dr. Mata hopes many of these young HALO members feel more confident about pursuing higher education. She also aims for the organization to keep growing, helping members find purpose and a supportive space where they can connect and share their stories to empower one another.
At WSU, HALO is a significant presence, regularly drawing more than two hundred students to its activities. The organization’s goal is for friendships made in HALO to last beyond university life.
“Through HALO, students can develop skills for their futures, as the organization offers opportunities such as attending conferences, honing leadership skills, participating in public service, or simply making connections,” Dr. Mata said.
HALO’s Past, Present, and Future
Jaya Escobar-Bhattacharjee, a veteran HALO member and community leader, attended Wichita State in the mid-1990s and joined HALO, inspired by a family friend who was already involved.
Escobar-Bhattacharjee recalls how HALO gave her a broader perspective on what other Hispanic, Latino, Chicano, and Mexican students were achieving nationwide. She notes there were fewer Latinos at the university then compared to now, and she believes HALO’s outreach beyond campus has contributed to the growth in Latino student enrollment—whether the university acknowledges it or not.
Reflecting on HALO’s evolution, her passion for the organization is clear. “I think there’s a resurgence of excitement. We’re living in interesting times, with some open arms and yet some closed doors,” she said. “I think the university, as a whole, has become more welcoming to us and perhaps understands that we are the future. But if you look at it, we’re not the future anymore. We’re already here!”
Grecia Esparza, who has been a HALO member for just over a year, started as a general member and is now part of the organization’s executive team. She is currently the secretary and is responsible for documenting executive meetings and organizing topics of discussion.
“HALO gives you the chance to meet people like yourself,” Esparza said, emphasizing that HALO is also seen as a movement full of community leaders who inspire members to be their best selves. She hopes future generations in HALO will continue the traditions upheld today and even adopt new ones.
“The connections are definitely my favorite part of HALO. I was a bit shy before joining, and now I’m part of the executive team,” she said with a big smile. “To the new members, I say, enjoy and attend as many events as possible—they’re all planned with so much love for you. We invest a lot of time and dedication.”
HALO aims to help students feel they are not alone and, even if far from their families, that they can find a new family in HALO.
How Can the Community Support HALO
In interviews with Planeta Venus, HALO members shared that while fundraising is essential, the most valuable support the community can offer is by attending and sharing events hosted throughout the year. This support helps HALO continue growing and reaching more students.
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