National Hispanic Month

a 7 i as," i cd i wh ispe red with conviction. The audience froze in a stunned silence.

"Ganas is all von need," it continued.

"G-a-n-a-s means desire. Ganas is a desire to work hard and to succeed. Ganas! That's all von need!"

These words, spoken by Jaime Escalante, reverberated through the IU Auditorium, captivating the audience with their sincerity. Escalante, acclaimed teacher on whom the 1988 hit film "Stand and Deliver" was based, spoke these words to epitomize the goal of National Hispanic Heritage Month — a cultural awareness butt during the month to celebrate our culture. It is our way to remember who we are."

Throughout the month, Latino students expressed their culture through music, food, history and sport.

Perhaps the greatest success among Latino students during National Hispanic Heritage Month was the Dia de la Raza, Oct. 12. The day was a time to celebrate the different backgrounds of Latino culture. Both Latino and non-Latino students gathered at La Casa for an open house celebration of Hispanic unity. They shared food, danced and listened to a jazz band. "One hundred people showed up and about 60 of them were

ESCALANTE HIGHLIGHTS HISPANIC

"It's true that a lot of teachers don't care. We need more teachers like Escalante that take the time for us."

HE RITAGE

(opposite page) Glancing back over his shoulder, Jaime Escalante, acclaimed teacher on whom the

movie "Stand and Deliver"

was based, encourages his audience gathered on Oct. 15 at the IU Auditorium to

possess the desire, or ganas, to succeed. Escalante was invited by Latinos Unidos of IU and

Union Board to highlight the celebration of National

Hispanic Heritage Month. Photo by D'Mont Reese. brought about by a desire for improvement and success. "We chose to bring Jaime Escalante because he's Hispanic, but vet all people can relate to him, whether it's through his ideas about motivation or education," said senior Tema Moss, director of Union Board lectures committee.

Escalantc's lecture was the .highlight of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which was celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 16. It was not only a time to focus on Latino heritage, but it was a time to educate non-Latino students about Latino culture. "It's our month. We get to express ourselves more freely, and we get more publicity," freshman Edward Gonzalez said. "At IU, we're almost dumped in the middle of nothing," said Lillian Casillas, program adviser for La Casa, the Latino Culture Center. "We can't go anywhere to listen to our music or cat our kind of food. That's why we bust our non-Latinos," Casillas said. "It really showed we were reaching out and educating others."

National Hispanic Heritage Month came to a close during Parents' Weekend at La Casa, in which Latino students and their families gathered to share meals and tour the campus.

Following the lunch at La Casa Saturday, Latino students and their Eimilies proceeded to the IU Auditorium to hear Escalantc speak on Latino issues.

Escalantc, math and physics teacher, gained his fame while teaching at Garfield High School in Los Angeles. Through his dedication, Escalante transformed the school's academically lacking math program into the seventhhighest ranked program in the nation. His efforts earned him the title, "America's greatest teacher."

Following an introduction by Moss, Escalantc took the stage. He opened by humbly reminding the crowd that "I'm not a movie star just a teacher."

In addition to encouraging students to succeed, Escalantc described how when he arrived at Garfield both the students and the administration had given up. "Some maintained that Hispanic students weren't as smart. I found that to be completely wrong. (I believed) ... that they would rise or fall to the level of expectations around them," he said.

He then discussed his teaching methods and means of motivation, which included discipline, respect and a positive self-image. But he stressed the key to success was practice and that success led to self-confidence.

Escalante also said he would never give up as an educator. "Even though a kid doesn't usually give me feedback, I wait," he said.

He continued, "I will always wait."

Bowing politely at the end of his lecture, Escalante said, "I'm proud to be a teacher!"

Following the lecture, freshman Rosa Martinez said, "I admire all the techniques he used for motivation. It's true that a lot of teachers don't care. We need more teachers like Escalante that take the time for us." "Escalante seems like more than just a teacher, he seems like a good friend," freshman Daniel Lugo said. "A good teacher should be a good friend, too."

After the lecture, Casillas drove Escalantc to the Indianapolis Airport. "I was in awe the whole time. I wished the airport was farther away," she said.

Casillas came back in time to decorate La Casa for the final celebration — a dance for students and their families. The dance gave students the opportunity to show parents their "home away from home" as well as enjoy Latino music and dance.

As the festivities came to a close Saturday evening, Casillas said, "Hopefully, the education process does not end, even though the celebration ends tomorrow."

Rosie Piga and Kathy Revtyak