Pan American Times Fall 2012 Edition: Celebrating 70 years of PanAmericanism - PAN AM TIMES FALL 2012
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Pan American Times
Fall 2012 Edition:
Celebrating 70 years of PanAmericanism
PAN AM TIMES FALL 2012 !1State Board of Directors
Erik Buchanan State Director
Belda Martinez Financial Director
Buffy Brummett Publicity Director
Clemente DelCampo Program Director
Amanda Cortes TAMOAS Director
Karla Garza Scholarship Director
Jerome Johnson Contest Director
Student State Board of Directors
Mirka, Lufkin High School State President
Angel, Cypress Ranch High School First Vice President
Andrew, Cedar Park High School Second Vice President
Victoria, South Texas High School for Health Secretary
Professions
Hiba, Plano Senior High School Student Director
Michael, Rider High School Student Director
Cecilia, School for the Talented and Gifted @ Student Director
Townview Magnet Center
PAN AM TIMES FALL 2012 !2From the State Director
Erik Buchanan
Welcome to the 2012 – 2013 Pan American Student Forum of Texas! I would
first like to thank all sponsors for keeping Panamericanism alive in your
communities. Your dedication to keep this organization alive is invaluable.
The rewards may be few in comparison to the long hours you endure, but
always remember that the memories and experiences that your students
leave with can never be erased.
There are several changes in the space that we have been allocated for
convention, so you should become familiar with the convention center
floor plan. It is available on the web: http://www.sanantonio.gov/
convfac/Links/HBGCC.
The city of San Antonio requires that we reserve 1000 rooms for one night
during convention in order to reserve convention “two years out”. We
have not reached that number. We reserve space within a two-year
window. As you see, it limits us, and other organizations are able to book
years in advance.
Membership dues are collected throughout the year. Several chapters turn
in a membership list each month. Once a student’s name has been
submitted to the state office, it is entered into the system and does not
need to be resubmitted with the new list. Thank you for helping to
maintain PASF records in order. The auditor reminds us that since we are a
non-profit organization, it is imperative that all money received be
labeled. This accurate record-keeping helps avoid registration delays at
convention.
I look forward to working with you this year and to seeing you at
convention in March!
PAN AM TIMES FALL 2012 !3From the Scholarship Director
Karla Garza
Greetings from your scholarship director! I'm excited to kick start this
school year with lots of planning for this year's fantabulous Culture Trip.
Applications have been submitted and are under review by the scholarship
committee. This year's destination will be New York City! We will have
lots of great stories to share with you during our Cultural Trip Workshop at
convention.
Attention seniors: Applications for the Myrtle L. Tanner Scholarship are
due in early January, so don't miss out on this great opportunity!
We are officially on twitter, please follow us
@PASFofTexas
PAN AM TIMES FALL 2012 !4From the State President: Mirka
This past year, I had the pleasure of being announced Pan American Student Forum
President for 2012-2013. As president, I hoped to carry the tradition of representing
what PASF is all about: the opportunity to let others know about the Spanish
Speaking world in a fun way. I am more than honored to be given this position, and I
have tried as hard as I can, to leave a positive footprint. I have had the chance to
grow my leadership skills, and take on an important role.
Every year, we host a grand convention in San Antonio, Texas, where all the schools
that partake in their Spanish Club, unite to meet others. In order to prepare for next
year’s convention, the council reunites a few times during the year to plan ahead a
convention better than last year’s. Some of my presidential duties have been to
assure we monitor a positive growth, plus select a theme and a country from the
Americas and Spain as the main topic of study. In addition, I oversee all programs and
activities of PASF, and perform duties required by the Board of Directors.
As my time winds down to pass this position to a future president, I will do as much
as I can to let this be a year where others talk about how they were pleased in being
part of a great state organization.
From the 1st Vice-President: Angel
This year, Cypress Ranch Spanish Club has slightly grown from last year. There
are some new people and some new plans for this year. We are planning many
socials, including things like Taco Fest, which will be a day after school for everyone
in the club to get together, enjoy some tacos and just hang out. So far we've had 2
meetings and have planned one social, but there are many more to come. Our goal
for this school year is to have at least one social a month, not including meeting.
This year we will be more involved during convention by organizing a workshop,
which will be based on something related to the theme this year: al Estilo Mexicano.
We will also have a TAMOAS team competing at convention this year. One of the ways
we are going to try and raise money for our local chapter is by selling candy to
students around our school.
PAN AM TIMES FALL 2012 !5From the 2nd Vice President: Andy
Salutations from the chapter of Cedar Park High School! I hope everyone is as
pumped up as we are for the 2012-2013 P.A.S.F. convention. We have quickly started
to get the ball rolling on brainstorming some ideas for the dance workshop that we
plan to have. Since last years zumba routine was so successful, we have decided to
teach another one that is even better! This year we have had one of the highest
numbers in Spanish club ever! It is a milestone for Cedar Park High and one that
brings a smile to my face every time I go to a meeting and can’t find a place to sit.
As P.A.S.F. gets closer I get super excited that I shall be a part of something that has
brought my chapter and I so much happiness and purpose. Till then, stay classy
Spanish clubs!
From the State Secretary: Victoria
This year the officers and I have discussed the importance of student interaction,
every year we strive to hold events that all students can enjoy inside and outside of
the club. The previous year we hosted the first Homecoming Dance ever at Med High,
and it was very successful, we had a lot of positive feedback from the students and it
was a great fundraiser. We are excited for this years’ Homecoming Dance and hope it
turns out as well as last year. We do many other things that involved the students
and our community. Every year on 16 de septiembre we do a performance for all of
the students during lunch, have grito and costume contests, and do free face
painting for everyone. We found out that the students love the entertainment and
are eager to know more about PASF every time we hold little gatherings. We also do
toy drives and visit nursing homes every year, the toys we gather from our members
and outside students are donated to local hospitals during Christmas. At the nursing
homes we do a few dances and then interact with the elderly by playing chess,
talking, and for the women combing their hair and painting their nails, but it doesn’t
stop there! We will also be doing this new toy drive this year with our members. We
plan to have a gala for our members out of appreciation, there we will ask for all of
the members and their dates to bring toys and with this we will have a Christmas in
July donation for the children in the hospitals. As I have said the most important
thing for our chapter is the interaction we have with our students and community,
not only does it get more students involved with the club, but it influences them to
help out their community.
PAN AM TIMES FALL 2012 !6From Student Director: Teens truly making a difference: Michael Every year on a Saturday in October teens in the local area of North Texas go around and volunteer to make the community a better place. As long as I can remember I have been doing it since the 7th grade starting with my leadership class. Projects I have seen range from beautifying a local park with plants to helping a private school fix their lawn. (A small joke for those who attend my school). Ever since I have been in High school I have been doing it with my Spanish club. My freshman year I didn’t really expect to do too much. We went to the Texhoma Christian Care Center and we did a lot of work. It was a lot more than expected. We had to plant trees, replace plants, and we even had to cut down some old ones to put in new ones. It was rewarding and I had a great time with my friends. Afterwards they fed us and we had some time to chat with the people who worked at TCCC. They are truly nice people and even the residents of the place came out to see what we were doing at different times. The people there are just wonderful. It was disappointing to say goodbye after we were done but a sense of accomplishment was in the air with the club afterwards. A few weeks after Teens make a difference day; somebody from Texhoma Christian Care Center comes and visits us in school while we were having our usual Wednesday meeting. What a surprise they gave us! They handed our sponsor, Mrs. Williams, a check for 1000$ dollars to go to the funds for our trip to the PASF convention. Along with that they gave us a scrapbook of what we did on that day. It was just simply wonderful. It didn’t just stop there. The next year we felt an obligation to go serve them again because of how kind they were to us when we went and served them. Unfortunately on that day it was raining and we were unable to complete the usual gardening we did the last year. We had to come another day to do the gardening. We did that and as a request from the residents we went and visited them. The residents were overjoyed to see people visiting them. These are old people living in the Care Center so they tell us about how glad they are to get visitors. My friend had brought his ukulele with him so somehow these visits ended up turning into a show for these residents. (Note we aren’t choir so we didn’t so the best.) It didn’t matter to them anyways. They enjoyed our company and our entertainment. I learned that these people had a wealth of knowledge and experience under them. It was very pleasing to talk with them. They were just too kind. My Spanish club had truly felt they made a difference in these people’s day, it showed in their responses and reactions. My Spanish club has shown that if we were just to get together and work together we all can truly make a difference. We made a difference over at Texhoma Christian Care Center. It doesn’t just stop there though. If we were all to help and choose to make a difference, the possibilities are endless! PAN AM TIMES FALL 2012 !7
From Student Director: Hiba
The local chapter here at Plano is nothing short of brilliant. While still being able to
educate our students about the Spanish culture all around the world, the officers
representing this club are successful in keeping this experience entertaining and
worthwhile. Friends are always welcome and, along with food, fun is always
guaranteed. The event that the Spanish club here at Plano Senior High School prides
itself excessively in is the annual soccer tournament. This year, the tournament held
on October the 11th, was played against the other foreign language clubs of this
chapter: French, German, Chinese and American Sign Language. The Spanish Club
was the proud winner last year and our prideful victory was due to remarkable
teamwork and our incomparable soccer players. Thus, the Spanish Club of Plano
Senior High has continued to triumph magnificently over the years and will continue
this tradition in years to come. Go Plano!
From Student Director: Cecilia
ON TOP OF A PYRAMID
Clouds as blue as the ocean are within our reach.
An emerald green forest stretching as far as the eye can see.
Climbing each step was worth it,
The view is one that can not be competed with.
An emperor atop this very pyramid,
Ruling his people, saw what I see.
The troubles and toils, successes and victories all play out in my mind.
The world is balanced and in perspective.
Where my ancestors dwelled is here.
The ruins come to life and speak to me of the past.
A connection emerges between now and then.
A bond that can never be broken.
A zephyr blows, nature has not changed.
Beauty is not destroyed by time.
We are changed versions of our ancestors.
Mexico is part of who I am.
Atop this pyramid I see myself.
PAN AM TIMES FALL 2012 !8Thanks for reading!
Remember to
submit your chapter
articles for the
Spring PanAm
Times Edition.
Stay tuned for a special
PanAm Travel Edition with the
MOAS & Cultural Scholarship
Trips!
PAN AM TIMES FALL 2012 !9PASF of Texas Official Minutes:
Sunday; March 4th, 2012
Pan American Student Forum of Texas
First Convention Board Meeting
Meeting called Into Order at 9:50 A.M.
People Present at Meeting
• Welcoming
• Recognition of New and Former Members
Mirka Mr. Buchanan
Angel Mrs. Martinez
Andrew Mr. Johnson
Victoria Mrs. Brummett
Michael Ms. Garza
Alexandra Mr. Del Campo
Yolanda Mrs. Cortez
Aidee
Jacob
Janina
Introducing all of the members present at meeting; Board Directors, former officers, and new officers.
2012-2013 State Officers
Mirka President
Angel 1st Vice-President
Andrew 2nd Vice-President
Victoria Secretary
Hiba Student Director
Michael Student Director
PAN AM TIMES FALL 2012 !10• Approval of Minutes
No minutes available
• Date and Time for upcoming meeting
Meeting for Board Members
Date: June 19th with a back date consisting of June 27th of 2012
Location: South Padre Island, Rio Grande Valley, Texas
• Theme and Country of Study for 2012 – 2013
Country of Study
Mr. Buchanan brought up the whole Country of Study
Mrs. Martinez: Suggested Old Mexico, which included Texas, California, etc.
Alexandra: Seconded the suggestion
All present people approved the idea.
The Country of Study for 2012 – 2013 will be Mexico
Theme
Mr. Buchanan introduced the topic concerning of the Theme
Alexandra: Proposed that the theme should be one of Spanish decent, as in Aztec, Toltec and Mayans.
Mrs. Brummett: Suggested “Old World, New World”
Mirka: Seconded the suggestion
Mr. Del Campo: Asked that the members clarify the title of the theme, to avoid confusion for the schools and
members.
Alexandra: The Theme “Old World, New World” should be all across the Board, to avoid confusion for those
in Dance and Scrapbook
Mrs. Martinez: Brought up the fact that “Old Mexico” is different for everyone, and reminded the present
members that it could be displayed by all traditions, views, and customs such as food and festivals of the Old
Mexican heritage.
Mrs. Brummett: That the whole point of the theme would celebrate all aspects of Mexico
Alexandra: suggested El Altimo Nuevo Mexico as the theme
PAN AM TIMES FALL 2012 !11State Scholarship Director: Asked that the suggested theme from Alexandra be narrowed down
Mrs. Martinez: Proposed that it shouldn’t be narrowed down because it would limit very creative ideas and
artistic ideas of the theme.
Mr. Del Campo, Mrs. Martinez, and Mrs. Brummett: Discussed the previous years that were successful with
the Themes and Countries of Study placed in Mexico.
Mr. Buchanan asked if the former and new members of the Student Board would place their insights about the
upcoming Conventions theme.
NOTE: Last time the PASF had Mexico as Country of Study and theme that was fairly successful was
back in 1979. The idea of the 2012-2013 Convention for PASF is to bring back the large population of
members and schools that participated in the previous years at Convention.
Mrs. Martinez: Further expressed her insight about the theme “Old World, New World”
NOTE: Mr. Buchanan brought up a concern that he had about the fact that the students were not
expressing themselves or participating in the decisions being made.
Michael: brought up the theme “Nuestro Mexico” and that it should be about all of the Mexican culture and
that it shouldn’t have a limit but should rather be a very broad topic.
Mrs. Martinez: Thought that this year it would be very appealing if the acronym “PASF” were to be inserted in
the title; either before or after.
State Scholarship Director: Suggested the title “Al estilo mexicano”
Mr. Buchanan: thought that the suggestion should be the Major Theme
Alexandra: Recommended that the acronym “PASF” should be incorporated to the beginning of the title. For
example “PASF: Al estilo mexicano”
Motioned to change insert the acronym “PASF” before the title.
All of the present members at meeting agreed to the motion except Clemente Del Campo.
Motion for the changed title was passed.
Mr. Del Campo: suggested the title “La herencia de Mexicana”
Mrs. Martinez: Reminded Mr. Del Campo that since the motion was passed he could no longer make
suggestions concerning the theme of the 2012-2013 Convention
The Theme of 2012-2013 PASF Convention is “PASF – Al estilo mexicano”
PAN AM TIMES FALL 2012 !12• Comments of the 2011-2012 Convention Mr. Johnson: Informed the Board members about his concern on the acoustics within the theatre and the problem he had hearing the speakers clearly and how new equipment might be helpful for the upcoming Conventions Mrs. Martinez: Thought that the 2011-2012 Convention overall was superb and memorable Alexandra: Thanked Mr. Buchanan for incorporating the speeches of the former Board Members during the award ceremony, none the less thought that the 2011-2012 Convention was amazing and that the over club PASF made her high school years memorable and worthy Mr. Johnson: Implemented his thought about having a video of the Convention and suggested that the Board Members should have some leisure time to observe the actual Convention. Andrew: Suggested that the testing and should be reformatted on the account that students had trouble with directions and hearing the necessary information during the tests. He also suggested that there should be color coded charts that tell the students specific instructions for a specific test. Mr. Johnson: Told him of the previous years that had those color codes but found them to be of no aid to the testing participants Mrs. Martinez: Suggested that all of these detailed should be covered in the upcoming pamphlets about the Conventions schedule Angel: Recommended that a split entrance might help organize the way that the testing students enter and exit the testing rooms Mrs. Martinez: Informed him that it would only make the walk longer than needed Andrew: Also informed the Board members of the complicity of the tables and chairs when the students were in the room meant for the Dance Workshops Mr. Buchanan: Informed every one of the expenses concerning the furniture and the placement of items in the Convention Center. He also asked that the students should respect and be careful about the Convention. Expressed how impressed he was with the way the 2011-2012 Convention pulled through and would like to thank those who helped. Meeting Adjourned at 10:52 A.M. PAN AM TIMES FALL 2012 !13
PASF Board Meeting
June 27, 2012
Round Rock, Texas
• Meeting called to order by Buchanan
• All adult board members present (Johnson arrived in pm)
• Convention discussion
• All board member e-mail addresses set up at www.pasf.com by first name@pasf.com
• Adjournment for lunch at 11:30 am
• Meeting resumed at 12:30 pm
• Web site edited by Brummett and Garza
• Culture trip discussed and location set for New York City
• TAMOAS trip discussed
• Publicity planned
• Contest results viewed
• Official PASF twitter account set up by Brummett and Garza
• Meeting adjourned at 4:00 pm
PAN AM TIMES FALL 2012 !14You can also read
