Enthusiasm and excitement emanates from the Adams State University committee which organized the "Bless Me, Ultima," Project on the Adams State campus April 5, 6, and 7.

"The movie hit home," said Donna Griego. "The theme captured our culture and moved the audience members." Andrea Benton-Maestas agreed: "The event had a positive impact and helped the campus build community and collaboration."

The committee members include Benton-Maestas, Institutional Reporting director; Griego, executive assistant to the senior vice president; Barbara Griego-Jones, administrative assistant for the Human Performance and Physical Education Department; Michelle Romero, associate director of Admissions; Cheryl Ruybal, Extended Studies program manager-brokered programs; and Bernadette Torres, Extended Studies quality assurance specialist.

The committee showed the film six times, including an early Friday show for high school students. Over 500 people from across the San Luis Valley attended the events. "Generations came together and connected," said Romero. "The experience highlighted our campus and promoted the Hispanic culture."

According to Benton-Maestas, the event aligned with the mission of the university to promote diversity and out-reach to the community. "We all worked as a true team and developed our leadership skills together."

Griego said planning the event provided a sense of purpose and further established a connection with the institution. "We all benefited from professional development, at no cost to the institution. This kind of hands-on, direct approach is integral to active learning and team-building."

Three high schools sent students to the Friday morning show. The committee said they are impressed with the Monte Vista High School students who made the effort to attend – arriving in personal autos on a day without classes. "It was great to see Adams State students, high school students and members of the community attend each of the showings," Griego-Jones added. "Every audience seemed so appreciative of the opportunity to gather and connect."

The committee members attended the 2012 Hilos Summer Institute in San Luis, organized by the Adams State Title V Grant Office. "The summer workshop spurred us to a plan of action," Romero said. "We wanted to bring our community together and connect to our culture and heritage."

Following the Friday morning and Saturday noon showing, a panel of community and campus members answered questions and lead discussions. After the last showing on Sunday, the local band from Antonito "Bad Attitude" performed and biscochitos and coffee were served. "The event offered opportunities for thought-provoking discussions about spirituality, politics, regional dialect, and culture," Griego said.

The committee collaborated with the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area and said they appreciate the support from many student groups and departments across campus. "We are already planning next year's event," Benton-Maestas said. The committee is also working on an enrichment course to bring the San Luis Valley culture to Adams State students.

The group worked in clinics in the towns of Parramos and Iztpa, accompanied by Victoria Kretche, visiting asst. professor of nursing, and Allison Bennett, coordinator of the Nursing Simulation Lab. Major efforts included providing vaccinations and vitamins. One day in Parramos was devoted to new mothers and infants, while another day focused on diabetic patients.

They also visited schools to promote hand washing and general hygiene. To protect the human population, the student nurses also worked to vaccinate dogs against rabies. Bennett noted 75 humans in the town contracted rabies during the month of January alone.

According to Dr. Eva Rayas Solís, the Spanish Club, formed in 1928, has organized the event for 75 years. She estimates close to 300 visitors attended the event including instructors, chaperons, high school students, family members and friends.

Rayas Solís appreciates the help received from Adams State Spanish students, faculty, and staff, and members of the SLV community; many who volunteered to judge the simultaneous competitions.

"Despite the inclimate weather, which caused some schools to cancel, the event was successful and brought potential college students to our campus," Rayas Solís said.

Overall results included Sierra Grande High School second place, Alamosa third place, and Del Norte fourth place.

The individual/team competition results included:

Spelling I – first place: Jeline Buron, Del Norte High School; second: Elaine Buron, Del Norte High School; third: Hannah Baker, Sargent High School; fourth Madeline Jackson, Alamosa High School; and fifth: Marika Basagoitia, Sargent High School.

Spelling II – first place: Micaela Fleming, Alamosa High School; second: Devon Meyer, Alamosa High School; third: Michael Illenberger, Alamosa High School; fourth: Kaylie Kenison, Sargent High School; fifth: Gustavo Solan, Sargent High School.

Grammar I – first place: Jesus Gonzalez, Alamosa High School; second: Bradley Tijerina, Sierra Grande High School; third: Miguel Beltrán, Sargent High School; fourth: Nahomi López, Sargent High School; fifth: Stepanie López, Antonito High School.

Gammar II – first place: Nahomi Baca, Del Norte High School; second: Gustavo Solano, Sargent High School; third: Erick Martinez, Sierra Grande High School; fourth: Bianca Romero, Monte Vista High School; fifth: Daniel Borunda, Monte Vista High School.

Oral Interpretation I – first place: Mariah Vialpando, Sierra Grande High School; second place: Faith Stults, Sargent High School; third place: Makena Holtcamp, Sierra Grande High School; fourth place: Hannah Baker, Sargent High School; fifth place: Carlos Fuentes, Alamosa High School.

Oral Interpretation II – first place: Nahomi Baca, Del Norte High School; second place: Marisol Lucas, Alamosa High School; third place: Wade Nelson, Sierra Grande High School; fourth place: Lizbeth Beltrán, Sargent High School; fifth place: Kaylie Kenison, Sargent High School.

Oral Interpretation III – first place: Nate Ramirez, Sargent High School; second place: Kendra Harti, Sargent High School; third place: Melissa Jimenez, Sargent High School; fourth place: Gamrey Garoutte, Sargent High School; fifth place: Jesús Juarez, Monte Vista High School.

Oral Interpretation IV – first place: Marisabel Fierro, Sierra Grande High School; second place: Nora Ojeda, Sierra Grande High School; third place: Mikel Uribaren Ortiz, Sargent High School; fourth place: Janelle Santillano, Sierra Grande High School; fifth place: Jesús Juárez, Monte Vista High School.

Speech I – first place: Cristal Cepeda, Sierra Grande High School; second place: Marika Basaigotia, Sargent High School; third place: Bradley Tijerina, Sierra Grande High School; fourth place: Miguel Beltrán, Sargent High School; fifth place: Mary Hood, Sierra Grande High School.

Speech II – first place: Gustavo Solano, Sargent High School; second place: Antonio Mateo, Alamosa High School; third place: Kaitlin Lowder, Sargent High School; fourth place: Eric Martinez, Sierra Grande High School; fifth place: Marisol Lucas, Alamosa High School.

Speech III – first place: Diane Arias, Alamosa High School; second place: Melissa Jimenez, Sargent High School; third place: Grace Stults, Sargent High School; fourth place: Austin Babcock, Sargent High School; fifth place: Alex Basagoitia, Sargent High School.

Speech IV – first place: Marisabel Fierro, Sierra Grande High School; second place: Yesenia Moreno, Monte Vista High School; third place: Savannah Plane, Sargent High School; fourth place: Emily Cuevas, Alamosa High School; fifth place: Mikel Uribarren Ortiz, Sargent High School.

Knowledge Bowl – first place: Sargent School team, second place: Alamosa School team, third place: Monte Vista School team; fourth place: Sierra Grande team.

Song – first place: Antonito High School; second place: Dueto de Alamosa High.

Art – first place: Michael Illenberger, Alamosa High School; second place: Michael Ray, Sierra Grande High School; third place: Makenna Aleins, Sargent High School; fourth place: Brooke Laser, Alamosa High School; fifth place: Antonio Mateo-Andrés, Alamosa High School.

Dance – first place: "Baile Azteca," Sierra Grande; second place: "Chihuahua," Sierra Grande.

Skit – first place: Del Norte High School.

The Adams State University senior creative writing majors Azraphael R. Zaenir, Travis Lewis, and Jeremiah Black will read from their work at 7 pm. Thursday, April 18, in the Nielsen Library second floor. A guest writing workshop, with author Dr. L. Luis López, will be held from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18, in McDaniel Hall room 204. All events are free and open to the community. Free refreshments will be served.

In the workshop participants will study the rhythms that spring from various sports and will look at how different poets treat the subject matter. Participants will look at examples from basketball, baseball, skating, and even cheerleading.

Lopez is a professor emeritus at Colorado Mesa University where he taught mythology, Latin, Ancient Greek, and English. He has published three books of poetry, Musings of a Barrio Sack Boy, A Painting of Sand, and Each Month I Sing, which was awarded The American Book Award and the Colorado Independent Publishers Association's first place in poetry, both in 2008. He is presently finishing a fourth book, eighty-eight poems, one for each of the eighty-eight constellations. He is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

For more information contact the ASU English Department at 719-587-7862.