President Barack Obama announced the names of thirty- five newly appointed campaign co-chairs that will serve as national ambassadors and generally aid in promoting the president’s agenda in the upcoming elections, late February.

Among the dozens of politicians and CEOs selected, President Obama chose Eva Longoria, a Mexican- American actress most well known for her role on the ABC hit show Desperate Housewives. Longoria is also an avid philanthropist, having supported over twenty different charities and foundations, most of which serve to benefit Latina women and children. In addition to providing support for worthy causes such as these, Mrs. Longoria established her own foundation, Eva’s Heroes, that provides individualized care for those with special needs. Having grown up with her sister who is also special-needs, Longoria sought to create an organization that allows special needs students to “interact, grow, learn and love”.

It is clear that President’s Obama’s decision in choosing Longoria as a co-chair is well founded in her extensive philanthropic actions, but many speculate that the main motive behind the president’s choice is in his intention to secure the increasingly powerful Latino vote during the 2012 campaign.

One needs only to look to the blaring headline as seen on March cover of TIME Magazine: “Why Latino Voters Will Swing the 2012 Election”, to see the extent of the influence a popular Latina celebrity such as Ms. Longoria would have on the campaign. Longoria has openly criticized the way in which presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has dealt with issues concerning the Latino community, and has provided unwavering loyalty to both the Democratic party and President Obama.

As national co-chair, Longoria’s main goals are to provide further aid to the Latino community by continuing support of the multiple programs that President Obama has created during his term. Such agendas include the Affordable Care Act that seeks to provide healthcare for million of uninsured Latinos, as well as continuing the distribution of Pell grants to Latino students seeking to attain higher education.

All said, regardless of the success or failure of President Obama’s appointment of Eva Longoria, the decision of Latino voters will doubtlessly sway the 2012 presidential election to an extent that the United States has never before seen.

When the Carnegie Knight Foundation approached the Philip Merrill College of Journalism they were looking for people to find the needs of a local community. The Merrill School took the idea and ran with it.

After much research and a $15,000 grant from the Carnegie Knight Foundation, the faculty and students of Knight Hall decided to focus their research on the Latina community, specifically pregnant women and young mothers.

A focus group interview was conducted on women from College Park, Langley Park, and Takoma Park. All of these women were either Mexican, Nicaraguan, El Salvadorian, or Guatemalan.

The research team also spoke to various health professionals from Maryland including an organization in Langley Park called Casa de Maryland, a program that gives community members access to trained, nonprofessionals who can provide information to the young mothers and mothers to be.

Their research showed that these women felt that they could not get access to any information for health resources and main stream media was not doing much to help.

“They have sort of given up on main stream media, even Spanish language media, to provide useful information about the things that they need to know,” said Linda Steiner, one of the faculty members involved with the research.

According to Steiner, not all the women in the focus group have internet access and of those who do, only a small portion of them know how to access the right information that is translated into Spanish.

Odalis Lopez, the vice president of public relations for the Latino Student Union and the vice president for Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., believes that the results of the research were accurate.

“Young Latina pregnant women usually do not have the financial and emotional support to support another human being. A lot of times, these women are uneducated about their options, what to do in preparation for the baby, and what to do once the baby is here,” said Lopez, a freshman communications and Spanish major. “It is not necessarily that there aren’t resources, but they are definitely not aware of the few major recourses that are available.”

Steiner said that for many of these women their source of information comes from friends and family, adding that there needs to be more information provided about the proper nutrition and vitamins during pregnancy.

“A lot of the concerns had to do with where they could go to get actual services. That also indicates a possible role for the media, should newspapers care to play a role,” said Steiner

Steiner and her colleagues Ron Yaros, Elia Powers, and Jessica Roberts presented a research symposium today in Knight Hall’s Eaton Theater with faculty members Howard University and George Washington University.

Steiner hopes that the information can be helpful to the Latina community and hopefully cause University of Maryland students to make want to help provide these media outlets to the Latina community.

“It is our responsibility to help the media and serve as our own outlet to empower the community, specifically the Latina community outside campus,” Lopez said.

On April 10 the Libre Initiative, an organization geared towards the Latino and Hispanic community to promote economic independence, released their newest study on the future generations of the Latino and Hispanic community.

1500 Hispanic voters nationwide were interviewed leading to the results that members of the Hispanic community remain pessimistic for the future generations achieving the American Dream.

According to the poll U.S. Hispanics are not happy with the economy and the way the government has handled spending, saying that the country is not moving in the right direction.

Campus community members are interpreting the poll results in differently.

Nathan Dize, the president of the Latin American Studies Student Organization fount the results to be rather interesting.

“My impression of the poll was that it was trying to some how quantify the pursuit of the American dream, which is interesting because when you look at the mission of the organization that is generating the poll, they are very economical and business oriented,” said Dize, junior French and English major.

The key findings of the poll continue to say that more than half of the U.S. Hispanics interviewed believe that the future generations are not likely to achieve the American dream.

Dize believes that there is not a reasonable way to measure the American dream, saying that some people could be happy making a living wage while other families strive for luxury.

Yael Nurko, a freshman psychology major, disagrees with the polls completely, saying that her family has definitely achieved the American dream.

Nurko’s mother and father were born and raised in Mexico City, moving to the states in 1993. After settling in the states raising a very successful family.

When Nurko was asked if she believes her family has achieved the American dream she replied “absolutely!”

“Many people I have met who are children of immigrants have incredible drive and want to succeed,” said Nurko.

The findings of the poll also revealed that the majority of Hispanic Americans believe that there needs to be an increase focus on creating stronger family ties rather then government help.

Nurko believes that the responsibility should lie in the hands of both the Latino community and the government, adding that she believes it is necessary for the government to increase the number of assistance programs for minority groups.

Ozzie Guillen made his return to baseball as the manager of the Miami Marlins on April 17, in a win over the Chicago Cubs. He had been suspended for five games due to comments he made about Fidel Castro earlier that month, ESPN reported.

“I think the suspension was warranted. The manger of a team shouldn’t be bringing negative attention that casts the whole team in a bad light,” said Gabe Garcia, a junior government and politics major.

Guillen’s return drew two-dozen protesters outside of Marlins Ballpark before the game. They expressed their continuing dissatisfaction with the situation and with Guillen, reported the Huffington Post.

The controversy began over comments 48-year-old Guillen, from Venezuela, made in an interview with Time Magazine on April 6. Guillen said, among other things, “I love Fidel Castro. . . I respect Fidel Castro. You know why? A lot of people have wanted to kill Fidel Castro for the last 60 years, but that (expletive) is still here.”

The public backlash was immediate in Miami-Dade County. It has a population of nearly 2.5 million people, and Cuban Americans comprise 34 percent of its residents, according to 2010 US Census figures.

About 150 people protested outside Marlins Park, located in Little Havana, on April 10 during Guillen’s public apology. In an hour-long press conference held in both English and Spanish he said, “I feel as though I have betrayed the Latino people. I am embarrassed, very sad and I am very, very, very sorry,” the Miami Herald reported.

Cuban American students on campus had varied reactions to the situation. Most students asked agreed it was unfortunate for everyone involved.

Senior history major Jessica Cabreias said she was not angered by Guillen’s comments. However, her Cuban father was upset over the pro Castro remarks.

“My dad sees Castro almost like the Hitler of Latin America,” she said. “He [Guillen] was out of line to make those kind of public statements,” Cabreias said.

Garcia said he was not personally offended by Guillen’s remarks even though he is half Cuban.

“I don’t think he was trying to offend Cuban Americans, or anyone for that matter. I was able to see that, after he apologized again and again. I think other people were able to see that too,” Garcia said.

The terms Hispanic and Latino/a were established by the U.S. government nearly four decades ago.

They are used to categorize Americans who trace their roots to Spanish-speaking countries, according to The Hispanic Pew Research Center.

A nationwide survey released on April 4, found that adults in Hispanic populations have not fully embraced either of the terms, the Pew said.

“I think Hispanic tends to describe someone who is a Spanish speaker or is from a country that is Spanish speaking. Whereas Latino refers to an individual who is of Hispanic or Latin American descent living in the United States,” said Gabe Garcia, a junior government and politics major.

The survey said 51 percent of the participants identified themselves by the family’s country of origin. The use of Hispanic and Latino/a as self identification was 24 percent, the Pew said.

“I typically identify myself as Cuban American or Puerto Rican American when I am speaking with people of Hispanic descent,” Garcia said. “I don’t mind being referred to as Latino or Hispanic, I refer to myself that way especially with non-Hispanic Americans,” Garcia said.

Senior history major Jessica Cabreias said she also thinks the term Hispanic relates to people who are from Spanish speaking countries. She said she prefers Latina because it is more inclusive.

“My father is Cuban, my mother is from El Salvador and I was born in the U.S. I identify myself as Latina because I feel it encompasses all of who I am,” Cabreias said.

In the survey, 69 percent of the respondents said the nearly 50 million Latinos in the U.S. have many different cultures rather than one common culture.

“Each country has its own culture, music, food and dialect. Some have a large African heritage, like in the Caribbean and in Latin America. And every country has indigenous peoples. We are all every different,” Cabreias said.

Photo Courtesy of Photo Bucket MrThompsonGeo's album

Twenty years ago, Rodney King was caught speeding and led the California Highway

Patrol on a high-speed chase because he was worried that if he were pulled over, his probation would be revoked. By the time he finally followed orders to exit his car, numerous L.A.P.D cars had joined the chase. The officers on the scene decided that King was resisting arrest and King was shot twice with a Taser gun and then beaten by officers wielding batons. The incident was videotaped and spread, and spurred further anger and annoyance by the already fed up L.A. African American community that felt they were subject to racial profiling and abuse by police that went unnoticed.

The four officers who beat King were acquitted of charges a year after the incident by a predominantly white jury and that ignited the worst single occurrence of urban riots in American history.

It may seem that Jennifer Lopez has her hands full this year with a new single, “Dance Again,” a Greatest Hits album in the making, and her position as judge on American Idol.

Fortunately for fans, she’s adding a worldwide tour to the list.

“2012 will mark another first, embarking on the most extensive concert tour of her career,” according to the Lopez’s tour promoter, AEG Live. The 42-year-old singer will be making stops throughout the U.S., South America, Europe and Asia this summer on her 60-date tour.

It will start in North America where Lopez will headline with Enrique Iglesias and opened by Wisin Y Mandel. The tour’s first show will be in Montreal on July 14 and make stops in 15 other cities in North America, according to the singer’s website.

The North American tour dates were officially announced on jenniferlopez.com on April 30. Tickets will go on sale May 4.

Though the rest of the tour’s dates have yet to be announced, it is guaranteed to feature many tracks from the singer’s seven albums including “Love?,” which released last year.

“I personally don’t feel the need to see the tour, but I know there is a huge J-Lo fan base that will be thrilled about this concert, maybe a slightly older crowd,” said sophomore history major, Katie DiVenuto.

Of course, the concert would not be complete without her newest single, “Dance Again.”

“’Dance Again’ is my jam,” said sophomore public health major, Laura Breslau. “It literally makes me want to dance again, and again, and again. For a 40-something year old woman, she still makes music that appeals to the younger crowd.”

Though she is a mother of two and fresh off of a divorce, Lopez has yet to lose her steam. The single’s hot music video features classic ‘J-Lo’ dance moves and a cameo from Pitbull.

As the world anxiously anticipates performances of songs like “Dance Again” from Lopez, she will be rehearsing choreography and practicing her vocals for tour, promoting her Greatest Hits album, and enjoying time with her children.

After American Idol’s Jessica Sanchez, 16, solidified herself as this season’s breakout star with a nailed performance of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” in early March, many were convinced she would take the show’s title.

It seems that viewers were perhaps too convinced after Sanchez’s series of flawless performances to actually vote.

At the results show on April 12^th, Ryan Seacrest delivered the news that Sanchez was the contestant with the lowest number of votes.

The judges couldn’t conceal their shock. Randy Jackson turned his chair toward the audience and threw is hands up with an astonished look on his face. Jennifer Lopez froze; jaw dropped and eyes bulging, while Steven Tyler shook his head in disapproval.

“Unbelievable reaction in the studio,” said Seacrest as Sanchez took center stage to begin her performance for the judge’s save.

Sanchez wasn’t more than 20 seconds into her performance when the judges stormed the stage.

“Give me that mic, this is crazy,” said Lopez as she snatched the microphone from Sanchez. “You ain’t goin’ home, sit down.”

The judges are only allowed one save per season and they must use it before the top five.

“We are saving Jessica without any doubt,” said Jackson. “From myself, Steven and Jennifer, this girl is one of the best singers in America, ever. Are you kidding me? Please everybody vote for the best. It’s about finding the best.”

And with that, Sanchez was granted another week on the show.

“Jessica Sanchez is not my favorite contestant, but I do believe that of all the contestants that have been sent home in the past, she deserved to be saved,” said Beca Casillas a junior biology major.

Now on its 11^th season, American Idol is considered a weathered veteran compared to newer shows like X Factor, The Voice, and America’s Got Talent. Is Sanchez’s near-elimination due to a lack of viewers and voters?

“I don’t know anyone who still watches the show,” said sophomore hearing and speech major, Allison Catalano. “I think American Idol is great, but it may be getting a little old.”

This season features exciting new talent and students are excited about the variety in competition.

“I love Phillip Phillips,” said Casillas. “He needs to win.”

As April comes to a close, the show rounds up its top five contestants. The competition is stiff and only a few weeks remain before the season crowns its American Idol.

University of Maryland’s Students Helping Honduras has had a whirlwind year, having just placed third in the Do Good Challenge and raising over $8,000 for their cause. At 2 p.m. on April 29 the nonprofit student group ended its successful year with their final big event, the HonduRun.

UMD Students Helping Honduras (SHH) is a chapter of the larger organization, Students Helping Honduras that takes students from universities all across the East Coast down to El Progresso, Honduras to help build schools for poverty stricken communities.

Participants release balloons in honor of Libby. (Photo by: Nahal Mottaghian)

UMD SHH has been working all year to raise $25,000 for Pimientera Elementary School. With that in mind, UMD SHH teamed up with the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority in honor of their sister, Michaella (Kayla) Libby, to hold the first ever HonduRun, a 5k race with games, food, and prizes.

Libby had planned to go to Honduras with SHH this past winter break. She ended up dropping out of the trip and a week after SHH returned to America, Libby passed away.

The Honduran brought out nearly 100 students out in front of Kappa Alpha fraternity to honor Libby’s life.

“The 5K was a great way to honor Kayla and to ensure that her spirit of giving to others remains alive in all of us, but most importantly in the kids in Honduras what will greatly benefit because of this event,” said Sam Tiburzi, senior business major and president of SHH.

Erin (Walsh) Libby, Libby’s mother, stood beside her husband Martin, and son, Ben to kick off the event with a speech thanking students for their efforts in honoring her daughter’s life.

After all the runners had crossed the finish line, the sisters of Alpha Omicron Omega asked everybody to join together in a balloon release. Event goers were asked to write a message to Libby on pink balloons and release them in to the sky.

“I think the event went amazing thanks to all the people who came out and supported, both the greek community and the non greek community. It was really incredible to see two great organizations, Students Helping Honduras and Alpha Omicron Pi, come together for such a great cause that really captured the essence of what being apart of the Maryland community is all about,” said Kate Rodehau, junior communications major and member of Alpha Omicron Pi.

Other students were also moved by the event and its success.

“I think the event was great. It is a beautiful day and a great cause. It is also great to see the team work between the sorority and SHH. Overall it has been a great day,” said Carlos Zamora, junior communications major.

The event raised over $2,000. All the proceeds will go directly to Pimientera Elementary School in Libby’s name.

For the first time in six years, the SGA executive board will feature a female president-elect, the Go Party’s Samantha Zwerling.

After a close race against For Party candidate Jamil Scott, Zwerling won the votes of 55 percent of the 3,913 students who casted a ballot.

“I was really excited,” said Zwerling. “I won with a lot of great people.”

Some of the major changes Zwerling hopes to implement include getting more feedback from students through a weekly poll, working collaboratively with organizations and introducing more specific positions in the SGA for greater student involvement.

With regards to the Latino community and minorities in general, Zwerling hopes to make college more affordable and work on strategic plans to lobby lawmakers to make sure tuition does not increase.

“I think it’s really important for tuition to stay affordable for all communities because it specifically affects our students,” she said.

Moreover, the New Jersey-native plans to create a diversity position within the SGA to work on diversity initiatives.

“Its not just cultural diversity that needs attention, but all kinds of diversity,” said Zwerling.

Zwerling also said that she wants to help connect people and cultural groups with state lawmakers, especially with the DREAM Act taking its place on the following November ballot in Maryland.

“One of my personal goals is to get people to go out and vote,” she said. “I want to bring different cultural groups to Annapolis and have them talk to the people. I think that’s very powerful because students’ specific stories help make an important connection.”

JSA, Justice for Students in America, is only one of many groups that would be interested in working with SGA and lobbying for a tuition decrease as well as other cultural issues, said Juan Sebastian Roa, co-organizer of the movement.

“I think it would be a great opportunity because we want to help the broken education system,” said the sophomore communications and government and politics major. “When tuition is raised a lot of the time we don’t know where the money is going.”

And Zwerling did say that the main thing she wants to lobby for is affordability, which is clearly an issue now among many different groups and minorities on campus that she is hoping to fix.