Remarks by a Participant of the Summer Cultural Youth Camp
 Held at Stanford University, July 18 - 21, 2004
Camp Sponsored by the Luso-American Education Foundation

 The Bay Area, as we all know, is one of the most diverse places in all the world to live. In this setting, we are given a great opportunity to extend ourselves, learn about others and explore our own individuality and where we come from. We all came here from some other country in this vast world and it is so fascinating to discover that other place.

 I have had wonderful experiences that allowed me to do so. I think it is important to identify with and embrace every part of our ethnic identity. This provides us with a sense of self, a sense of belonging to something that is larger than ourselves. It enables us to know who we are in the context of our heritage. I identify myself with all my ethnicities, which include Mexican, Portuguese, Native American, Swedish, Scottish and Irish.

 One significant way that allows me to learn and embrace a large portion of my ethnicity-which is Portuguese-is by attending LUSO-American Portuguese Education Foundation Camps each summer. During these camps, we thrive in exploring our Portuguese background, which encompasses language, dance, literature, culture, foods, and famous Portuguese artists. Having this opportunity to gather together, all sharing a common background, has been one of the most meaningful experiences I have had.

 At these LUSO Camps I was extremely impressed and heartened by the wide range of ages who worked together, sang together, learned together, danced together, cooked together, and loved and laughed together in that bond of ethnic unity. There is a feeling that words cannot express. It can only be described as a sense of family or religion that you find in the arms of your cultural relatives.

 As great as these experiences are, I also have learned of several universities that can provide me advanced education in Portuguese. The Portuguese cultural camps have been held at numerous colleges: U.C. Santa Cruz, San Jose State University, U.C. Davis, Sacramento State University and Stanford University. These camps which took place at these institutions not only provide us an enormous wealth of information regarding our Portuguese culture, but it also motivates and gives us determination to accomplish great academic achievements.

 The entire event is enormously organized and lovingly well thought out by volunteers who have a passion for the Portuguese culture and a strong desire to instill in the participants a fervor to be educated. Countless hours are spent in providing young students from grades seven to twelve the opportunity to reach into themselves and dream the dream of attending a university. Through this week-long event, a bond is forged. Friendships are started and renewed. It also brings us an opportunity to link with a different generation, bond and glean information about our heritage. These are things that are not so easily attained in today's world with busy schedules, both parents working, over-extended families and lack of community support. Camps like these are rare.

 I have walked other paths that have satisfied my thirst for my cultural background. I have learned from my grandmother, Madeline Mesquita, the hardships that were suffered in Portugal and how her family would go to any lengths to come to America with its emotional hope of a better life. My brother, Robert also has provided a path by which I learn in a more academic way the love of our culture and language.

 Experiencing the ties and bonds that comes from the unity of a culture has changed me. I feel a connection that allows me to unite my past with the present and formulate my identity. As a result of experiencing these camps, I come away with a different perspective and a renewed commitment to honoring my cultural heritage.

Respectfully,
Elease Peterson