A thunderous clap rose up from one end of the ballroom in Agate Hall and streaked its way across the room until everyone in attendance had stopped what they were doing and joined in the applause.
The clapping was a symbol of unity for the 350 MEChA high school and college students who came from all over Oregon to learn about their culture, University MEChA member Jesus Garcia said.
Although six Oregon high schools could not make the trip because of budget cuts, only standing room remained by the time keynote speaker and best-selling author Victor Villaseñor took the stage.
“I learned who I am,” Woodburn high school student Luis Carlos said about the event. “I always thought I was Hispanic, but I found out I’m Chicano.”
The evening festivities were part of the Second Annual Mictlampa Chuatlampa (Northwest) Regional Conference at the University. Highlights included traditional Latino and Chicano music performed by University MEChA members, dances presented by the Eugene-based Ballet Folklorico Azteca and comedy sketches put on by Que Locos.
The high school students “are here to be aware of the options out there for them,” MEChA Woodburn School District adviser Juan Carlos said.
University MEChA member Isaac Torres, who helped coordinate the conference and performed in the band, said it was important for the high school and college students to learn from Villaseñor because of the hardships the author endured along his route to success.
“We need to listen to our elders because they experienced things we have not,” Torres said.
Villaseñor spoke about his childhood — marred with discrimination from teachers — as well as his respect for women. He used his female relatives who survived poverty, rape and violence during the Mexican revolution as an example to demonstrate that women are stronger than men.
“We’re going to have world harmony and peace — and the women will lead us,” Villaseñor said. “The strength of our species comes from the female.”
The author said that if women were in charge of the world, they would put an end to war.
“It’s not a solution to have more wars,” he said.
Afterward, Villseñor fielded questions from students and gave tips on how to become an author.
“Write,” he shouted to the crowd. “It doesn’t matter if you get published or not.”
Villaseñor emphasized the importance of education and told students they have to read and take classes before they can become writers.
When Portland Community College student Adriana Moyola asked Villaseñor how she could become a teacher, he told her that the first step is to create a good relationship with one’s parents. “It opens up the heart,” he said. “To be a teacher, share your heart.”
Moyola said Villasenor gave her enthusiasm, knowledge and power to become a teacher.
“Someone made a difference in my life, and I want to make a difference in a child’s life,” she said.
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