Dozens of students, faculty and staff were recognized for their contributions to Penn's Latino community last night at the Latino Coalition and La Casa Latina's seventh annual awards ceremony.
The dinner, held at Houston Hall, attracted over 80 attendees and included a keynote address by University President Judith Rodin, a performance by dance troupe Onda Latina and the presentation of awards.
"It was wonderful," said College junior Cecilia Ramirez, mistress of ceremonies. "I was very pleased with everything, from the food to the show to the turnout."
In her address, Rodin said that the Latino Coalition "seized the initiative" and has worked for positive changes at Penn. As for La Casa Latina, she had nothing but praise.
"La Casa has been everything we hoped it would be," she said.
Rodin acknowledged that "Latinos continue to be underrepresented on college campuses," and complimented the Latino Coalition and La Casa Latina for their activism.
"I am standing here to honor and support you for helping Penn," she said.
In her closing remarks, La Casa Latina director Anamaria Cobo de Paci thanked students for their dedication to Penn's Latino community.
"We've traveled a long road this year, a road that was not always easy," she said, noting that the hard work has yielded increased visibility for La Casa Latina and a strengthened partnership with the Latino Coalition.
"To each of you, I submit my humble admiration," she said. "Know that you will always have a home here at La Casa Latina."
After the ceremony, College senior Nicolas Rodriquez former spokesman for the Latino Coalition and recipient of the Senior Student Leadership Award said the future for Latinos at Penn seems promising.
"I know that this community is at the beginning of an assent that's really going to challenge the way people look at diversity," said Rodriquez, a former Daily Pennsylvanian columnist.
"Latinos are the future, it seems, and La Casa and the Latino Coalition are going to be part of it," he added, praising the event.
