Having grown up in Mexico and dealt with the struggles of immigration and documentation, Daniel Perez said it gives him a sense of fulfillment to lead deep discussions with students who share a similar background.

Perez, the Latino Student Association (LSA) adviser, said the Jan. 11 LSA meeting, which around 33 students attended, began identifying topics important to members.

According to Perez, students expressed interest in having conversations about sexual health, school environment, grief and loss, family issues, drug use and mental health. He said undocumented Latinos face particular barriers that other populations don’t face, such as access to health care.

“(We are) asking questions that are specific to our cultural context. There’s a lot of trauma in our community,” Perez said.

One goal Perez said he has for the remaining LSA meetings this year involves inviting experts in struggles students may face to share insight.

“My hope is that we will bring in guest speakers who are experts on these topics because we are hoping that as we engage with topics that are a lot more personal, the kids will share vulnerably because they are the experts in their own life stories,” Perez said.

Additionally, Perez said he would like to see LSA members plan and carry out a Cinco de Mayo celebration they can feel proud of.

“The implied goal is to have a successful Cinco de Mayo celebration,” Perez said. “It is the day Latinos will be represented at our school and the larger public will be invited to see, to learn about Latino students in this school.”

Junior Dulce Vazquez, born in Nayarit, Mexico, said Cinco de Mayo plays an important role in her life as a Latina and for that reason she wants to help out with the school’s celebration.

“It’s a big thing in Mexican tradition and I would like to participate,” Vazquez said.

Every year, Latinos across the United States celebrate their Latin American heritage May 5 with traditional foods and family gatherings. According to LSA adviser Carmen Rudin, this year the tradition will come to Park stronger than ever.

“For the last three years we haven’t done anything culturally guiding,” Rudin said.

Rudin said the group agreed to host a “Kermes,” a traditional Latino party. She said although she will provide support, she intends to leave most of the planning up to LSA members.

“It’s their party,” Rudin said. “This is a group for them and they are the ones who will be deciding what activities they are going to have.”

Vazquez said she would like to participate in LSA gatherings in the future to get a better picture of Park’s Latino student body.

“I would (go) because there’s other Latinos in there and I want to see how many Latinos there are in this school,” Vasquez said.

The next LSA meeting takes place during fifth hour Feb. 8 in room C350. Rudin said she encourages all Latino students to come to share, talk and have a good time.