¡Bienvenidos Amigos!

Here is some information for you about your club and this website. So follow the links to learn more and as always please feel free to contact the club and let us know what you need or if you have ideas for the Mexico Project or an activity.

(If you have not filled out a membership application please follow the New Members link on the left)

If you need help with Spanish follow the Spanish Academia link at the left. You can find info about the Department of Languages and Philosophy and graduation requirements. You can also learn about geography and your favorite Spanish speaking countries. There are links to Study Aboard for those of you who are interested in that and of course there links to help you with your Spanish grammar and studies.

If you are interested in the Sonora Mexico Service Project please read the student related page. If you would like more information follow the links to the main Project Page. Don't miss the galleries with pictures and videos from the annual international project.

History of the Club & the Project

The USU Spanish Club has been around for a while. This brief history will begin in 2001 and focus mainly on the Mexico Project, but anyone with information about the Spanish Club before this date is encourage to email us and share their knowledge of the past.

One day in 2001 a USU student, Jaime McEvoy, heard on the radio something about strawbale construction in Mexico. She was interested and knew it would a great chance to do some research. She started finding out what she could about ecological housing and decided to see if the Spanish Club would be interested in helping in a project. At the time Dr. Maria Cordero was the club advisor. The club jumped on the opportunity with Scott Larsen, the Club President (2001-2002), leading the way. Several people helped to make the project a success, so many in fact that it would be hard to list them here. But, it should be mentioned Sarah Tanner was incharge of finance and Marliese Hoenes was the secertary. (Note* Both of them graduated in 2002 are now happily married to the men of their dreams.)

Since the Winter Olympics were being held in Salt Lake City there was no Spring Break, but there was an Olympic Break in Febuary. The club decided to scarifice this break to help build homes in Mexico. The club worked directly with La Fundación de Ayuda Infantil(FAI), which is a branch of Save the Children in Sonora Mexico. There were 22 students and Dr. Cordero who went on the project, many agree that it was a truly wonderful experience. The club help on several houses and donated enough money to help build some more. The donations were made possible by the businesses and individuals who donated to the project. ( List of Official Sponsors, List of students)

The University recognized the Sonora Project and Spanish Club with the Robins Award Achievement of the Year in 2002. This was a great honor for the club and a great way to promote the Project.

At the end of Spring semester Tim Cannon was elected Club President; Scott Larsen went on to do a study aboard in Mexico (fall '02). The other officers during the 2002-2003 year were Summer Kartchner (Club Secertary) and Chad Wasden (Treasurer). Unfortunately Dr. Cordero was unable to go on the Project. But, the officers stepped up to the plate and lead a sucessful project.

On the 2002-2003 project 21 students helped to raise enough money to build five houses and help on the construction of five other sites. Once again many people donated to make this possible (List of Official Sponsors, List of students). A video was made of the project and was shown at the Sponsors Reception. (To see a copy of the video go to the galleries page)

The project was refined and solidified the second year. The club used the first year as an example to model the second year, applying changes where needed. Two students attended both years, Scott Larsen who got back from study aboard & Tim Cannon who went the first year and was club President the second year. Together and with the help of the whole club the 2003 project helped to build the project and make it an annual tradition. Though each year the club has incountered problems and unexpected situations the project is still going strong.

The goal of the project is to help families in Mexico. This goal has been the basic goal from the very first year. The project also has the goal of breaking down international barriers. This has been accomplished by forming friendships between the people of Sonora and the students of USU. The past Club Presidents and the current Club President, David Cox, have the goal of making the Sonora Mexico Service Project a permanent club activity so that the relationship between FAI and the Spanish Club will continue to bless the lives of the people in Ciudad Obregon as well as the lives and education of the USU students who participate in the project.

The more recent club history should also be mentioned. The Club President for the 2003-2004 year is David Cox, Margee Flake (Secertary) & Aaron Parker (Treasurer). Casey Renolds, who went on the 2003 project helped serve as historian and Tim Cannon step in as Vice President. Both Tim and Casey won't be going on the 2004 Project sinec they are studying at La Universidad de La Rioja, Spain during Spring Semester.

*If you have any questions about the History of the USU Spanish Club a much more detailed history can be given. If you would like more information about past and present Sonora Mexico Service Projects please contact the Spanish Club at ususpanishclub@hotmail.com

 

Club Officers 2003-2004 (Past Club Officers)

President - David Cox
Major - Accounting and Finance
Minors - International Business and Spanish
International - Mexico Project 2003, two years in Guatemala
Interests - Enjoys playing & watching sports. Enjoys reading & traveling. Enjoys watching movies & listening to music, especially Rap, Oldies, and Latin
Contact information - dwcox24@hotmail.com

Vice President - Tim Cannon
Major - Spanish, Business Admin & Minor in International Business
International - Mexico Project 2002 & Pres for 2003 project, Uruguay for two years, La Rioja Spain Spring 2004
Interests - Loves Spanish. Enjoys traveling and seeing the world. Likes books, architecture and nice people.
Contact Information - timcannon@cc.usu.edu

Secertary - Margee Flake
Major - Nursing (Graduated with a Bachelors degree in 2003)
International - Mexico Project 2002, 18 months in Chile
Interests - She loves Spanish!
Contact information - maflake@cc.usu.edu

Treasurer - Aaron Parker
Major - Business
International - Two years in Colombia
Contact Information - alparker@cc.usu.edu

Historian - Casey Reynolds
Major - Liberal Arts
Interantional - Mexico Project 2003, Summer Chile Program, La Rioja Spain Spring 2004
Contact Information - creynolds@cc.usu.edu

 

Past Officers

2002-2003

President - Tim Cannon
Info - Currently Studying in Spain, Grad School in fall '04
Contact - timcannon@cc.usu.edu

Secertary - Summer Kartchner
Info - Traveling to China, Working in Guatemala
Contact - summ@cc.usu.edu

Treasurer - Chad Wasden
Info - Attending USU, going on Mexico Project '04
Contact -

2001-2002

President - Scott Larsen
Info - Attending USU, in charge of VIDA
Contact - scottrex@cc.usu.edu

Secertary - Marliese Hoenes
Info - Graduated 2002, got married
Contact -

Treasurer - Sarah Tanner
Info - Graduated 2002, worked in SLC, moved to Oregon and fell in love with Reed Sands, they got married on the 27th of December 2003.
Contact - sartanner@hotmail.com

 

Project Volunteers 2003 (*indicates club officers)

Attridge, Adam
Braithwaite, Cherilyn
Brown, Aaron
Brown, Rachelle
Burgoyne, Matthew
Cannon, Timothy*
Cook, Natalie
Cox, David
Flake, Margee
Hansen, Justin
Horne, Sam
Humpherys, Michelle
Kartchner, Summer*
Larsen, Scott
McKinnon, Michelle
Olsen, Summer
Reynolds, Casey
Shine, Scott
Trygstad, Brandy
Wasden, Chad*
Webster, Jenny Lynn

 

Project Volunteers 2002 (*indicates club officers)

Ryan Anderson
Chris Brown
Tim Cannon
Adam Christensen
Denise Colin
Maria de Jesus Cordero*
Emily Ebert
Megan Farmer
Matt Godfrey
Jason Hayman
Marliese Hoenes*
Shelly Hoggan
Chris Hyer
Dariush Imani
Kori Keylon
Scott Larsen*
Ashliegh Lynn
Jaime McEvoy
Tyler Nelson
Ethan Nuttall
Zachary Takos
Sarah Tanner*
Wendy Wasson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project Info for Club Members

Money for airfare is due by the end of Fall Semester 2003.
All waivers must be signed before tickets can be bought.
It is smart to have an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). You can get one in the Study Aboard Office (TSC 313) for $22.00
Each student is responsible for their breakfast & diner; lunch will be provided at the FAI office.
Anyone who doesn't raise the agreed amount of donations will have to pay the remainder at the last meeting before leaving
Make sure your passport is up to date. If you don't have one tell the club pres.
Leave a photocopy of your passport and IDs with your family, just in case

Make sure to stay healthy! Make sure you are well before you leave and while you are down in Mexico: Drink Good Water! Don't get dehydrated it will make you more likely to get sick, regularly wash your hands with antibacterial handwash, don't eat anything you wouldn't in the States (yet enjoy the wonderful Mexican Food), get proper sleep; if you are working in the sun all day you'll need it, remember that you are representing the Spanish Club & USU so please behavior properly, and the most important thing to do while on the Project is to enjoy yourself!