By Tonya Malinowski

The Latin American Students Organization will celebrate their heritage with traditional desserts and music in Alumni Hall this Thursday.

The annual Latin Sweets celebration is focusing on ancestry, with themes from the Aztecs and other ancient Latin cultures. Desserts will be accompanied by explanations about its origins.

“We try and tackle the cultural aspect from different angles and keep the heritage alive,” LASO President Alex Rodriquez said. “We want to bring in students who aren’t Latino and show them about our culture and then remind Latino students about where we come from.”

Rodriquez has started a new program this year, Jr. LASO, which brings smaller forms of the organization to area high schools. Members of the CCSU chapter set up organization structure and find a meeting space and faculty advisor for the high school students.

The first program is currently being organized at East Hartford High.

“Latinos are the fastest growing minority in the U.S. but also the leas educated,” Rodriquez said. “We want to get out to these high schools and try to improve graduation rates.”

The Latin Sweets celebration is sponsored by LASO and will be held from 11-3 on Thursday.