2008 Woodie Awards
Cafe's Poems Deal With Real Issues
Jeremy Slagle
Issue date: 9/23/04 Section: Feature
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Every year, the Latin American Students Organization (LASO) here at Montclair State University kicks off the semester with a fun-filled event. On Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004, LASO inaugurated yet another semester with an event called Cafe con Leche, which literally means 'coffee with milk.'
The event lived up to its name by offering coffee, drinks, and Spanish desserts such as empanadas, pasteles, pudin de pan, and pan de queso. The interesting twist was, the incorporation of a poetry jam amidst the delicious array of foods.
Amature poets of all races, religions and backgrounds were invited to flaunt their eloquence through the type of poetry that suited them best. Host Veronica Cardenas, who is also the Chair of LASO and a junior English major, was the first to take center stage and welcome the diverse crowd.
Creonaille Ramirez, a junior in the communications department and an active member of LASO speaks her views about this informal get-together by saying, "Cafe con Leche is a good way to kick off the year. It's a good excuse to chill out, meet other people, and welcome new members," Ramirez said.
Another communications major and junior Ana Garcia added, "This event is for anyone who is interested in poetry; doesn't matter what kind of poetry. People of different nationalities are also welcome."
And who was the first one to step up and exhibit his poetry skills? Who else, but the President of LASO himself, Orville Morales. A junior in the biology department, CA in the village, and member of the Brotherhood, Morales knows what it takes to hold a leadership position. However, tonight was not about being a leader. It was about blending words with rhythm and rhyme, and that is exactly what he did.
Morales read two of his poems titled "Ladies be Patient" and "Jaded," the latter about his unborn son. The fragile subject was dealt with in a manner that seemed objective, yet heartfelt. "That was my motivation to write," he said.
Following Morales was Tania Rodriguez, who spoke about a subject close to the hearts of a majority of students present in the room. It was on the issue of stereotyping. Her poem did not curtail any facts or beliefs that linger in the Latin American societies even to this day. The applaud she received after her poem was well deserved.
The event lived up to its name by offering coffee, drinks, and Spanish desserts such as empanadas, pasteles, pudin de pan, and pan de queso. The interesting twist was, the incorporation of a poetry jam amidst the delicious array of foods.
Amature poets of all races, religions and backgrounds were invited to flaunt their eloquence through the type of poetry that suited them best. Host Veronica Cardenas, who is also the Chair of LASO and a junior English major, was the first to take center stage and welcome the diverse crowd.
Creonaille Ramirez, a junior in the communications department and an active member of LASO speaks her views about this informal get-together by saying, "Cafe con Leche is a good way to kick off the year. It's a good excuse to chill out, meet other people, and welcome new members," Ramirez said.
Another communications major and junior Ana Garcia added, "This event is for anyone who is interested in poetry; doesn't matter what kind of poetry. People of different nationalities are also welcome."
And who was the first one to step up and exhibit his poetry skills? Who else, but the President of LASO himself, Orville Morales. A junior in the biology department, CA in the village, and member of the Brotherhood, Morales knows what it takes to hold a leadership position. However, tonight was not about being a leader. It was about blending words with rhythm and rhyme, and that is exactly what he did.
Morales read two of his poems titled "Ladies be Patient" and "Jaded," the latter about his unborn son. The fragile subject was dealt with in a manner that seemed objective, yet heartfelt. "That was my motivation to write," he said.
Following Morales was Tania Rodriguez, who spoke about a subject close to the hearts of a majority of students present in the room. It was on the issue of stereotyping. Her poem did not curtail any facts or beliefs that linger in the Latin American societies even to this day. The applaud she received after her poem was well deserved.