E Newsletter

October 2006 E-Newsletter

Austin's premiere South American restaurant is providing a special menu this Wednesday, Oct. 11th, from 5-10pm for patrons interested in supporting Latinitas Magazine and Outreach.

Twenty percent of the proceeds of orders from this menu benefits Latinitas program expansion to four additional AISD campuses, making after school program reach at six for 2006!

The night also serves as a school supply drive. Latinitas is in need of multi-color printer paper, pens, glue sticks, art supplies, rechargable AA batteries, gift certificates, prizes for club, snacks and more.

Join us for a fun night of delicious Latin cuisine!

in this issue

1. Latinitasfest Registration Open
2. College 101 with Latinitas
3. October Media Workshop: Zany Zines
4. Donor Spotlight - Dell Foundation
5. Volunteer Spotlight - Michelle Ortiz

Don't have Latinitas at your school yet? In a partnership with the Lone Star Girl Scout Council, Latinitas presents Latinitasfest, a one day media conference on Saturday Nov. 18th from 10am to 4:30pm, where girls of all backgrounds are invited for lessons in web design, photography, magazine publishing, radio production and more.

This 2nd annual event will be held at the Lone Star Girl Scout Council's headquarters (12012 Park Thirty-Five Circle Austin).

The conference is open to all girls (you do not have to be a Girl Scout to participate).

Conference cost is $20 per girl which includes lunch. To register call 512-453-7391.

On Nov. 11th, Latinitas is partnering with the Hispanic Women's Network of Texas - Austin Chapter to offer a free college conference for local Latino families The conference, held at Travis High School, will feature presentations by Latinitas focused on helping Latino youth prepare for college.

High school students will get tips from college admissions officers, find out how to pay for school, learn how to write a winning college admissions essay, and hear real world advice on college life from current university students. HWNT will present workshops that help answer parents' questions related to helping their children get into college. For more information or to register, visit HWNT's website or contact: Alejandra Gonzalez at 324-4911 or via email at abgonzalez@seton.org

Latinitas next free media workshop will take place on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at the St. John's Branch of Austin's Public Library (7500 Blessing). Girls are invited for a fun lesson in "ezine" publishing. Using graphic art and self-generated content, girls will make their own monthly zine. Latinitas website.

Latinitas was recently awarded a Dell Open Grant for $1000 to support the expansion of its afterschool programs on four additional AISD campuses. This is Latinitas third award from the Dell Foundation and we are grateful for their ongoing vision that supports Latina youth projects in Austin.

Travis High School Teen Reporter Intern alum Michelle Ortiz was awarded the YWCA's Woman of the Year award for the Arts for her volunteer role as a Latinitas photographer.

Ortiz's unique photographic depictions of South Austin life were featured on the Teen Latinitas web magazine and were also auctioned at the Fotos de Mi Alma fundraiser last year.

Michelle was also recognized for her role as a mentor, her entrance into the prestigious San Francisco School of Art and her other accomplishments in printing, painting and sculpting. Michelle currently attends Austin Community College and is laying a road map towards entrance into secondary school, as well as exploring art as a profession. A great artistic mind and soul, Latinitas is so proud of Michelle's achievement.

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Latinitas, Inc. is an Austin-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Hispanic girls in media and technology. We accomplish this by publishing a bilingual webzine for Hispanic girls, hosting innovative media workshops in the community, and facilitating an after-school program for junior reporters.