DU and CU Boulder Latino alumni associations hold joint scholarship fundraising event.

The University of Denver Latino Alumni Association (DULAA) and the CU Boulder Latino Alumni Association (CUBLAA) come together again to host Latin Fest IV.

The money raised at the event will go toward DULAA’s Mentoring Program and CUBLAA’s Scholarship Fund.

Ellen Alires-Trujillo (CUBLAA representative and undergraduate from CU and JD from DU) and Andrea Smith (member of DULAA) became involved after the first Latin Fest was held. “It was groups of both boards that talked about how we might get together and do something for the Latino community and not compete,” Alires-Trujillo said about the establishment of the partnership. Lynne Valencia, KUSA-TV and DULAA, and Armando Payan were some of those important figures mentioned related to the creation of this partnership. “The goal was to support higher education,” Smith shared.

Both Alires-Trujillo and Smith expressed that their ultimate goal of having this event and having both school alumni associations come in concert is to benefit Latino students. “Creating this community is really about the students. We really want them to have a successful experience,” Smith said.

“We hope to generate money to help them,” Alires-Trujillo says, “To help them meet their goals.” Alires-Trujillo commented that CUBLAA has awarded over a million dollars in scholarship to Latino students. A feat she said proudly.

So what can people expect? “Good music. Good food. Network and a good time!” Smith added.

Now in its fourth year, the Latin Fest event seeks to not only bring awareness about its scholarship effort, but hopes to attract Latino alumni from CU Boulder, DU and from other institutions.

Alires-Trujillo said, “I hope that it’s not limited to the alumni of CU and DU.” Eventually she’d “like to include the committee members of other boards (from other institutions).”

Alires-Trujillo and Smith invite fellow alumni to reach out to their respective alma matter for more information about their alumni associations. “It’s critical [for alumni to get involved] because we can’t do it with out them,” Smith said. “There are a lot of things we could do if we had more people involved.”

Last September, DULAA and University of Colorado Hispanic Alumni Association (CUHAA) hosted the Latino Policy Symposium where issues of importance to the Latino community were discussed. The event is also planned for this year along with a variety of other upcoming events.

Latin Fest IV is open to the public. It will be held on Friday, March 30 at Su Teatro, 721 Santa Fe Drive. Networking, raffel, light appetizers and cash bar from 6-8 p.m. and music and dancing from 8-11 p.m. Entertainment provided by Kruzin. $15 per person.

“People should just come out and have a good time,” Smith said. “Support the organization and support our cause,” Alires-Trujillo shared.

For more information and to register to attend, visit www.facebook.com/events/133054580154824.