Next to the fireplace in the library on Thursday, September 22 at 11:20 was a semi-circle enclosed by big chairs and bright orange couches, within which a group of about 15 students and teachers sat and listened to each other read their favorite Latin American poems. September was Latin American history month, and 10th grader and head of the newly formed Latin American Student Organization (LASO), Carlos Lopez, along with 12th grader Tony Lopez, Upper School English Department Co Chair Teresa Collins, and Upper School librarian Annette Lesak, helped kick it off with the read-in.

This wasn’t the first such event. Last year the library hosted an African American read-in during African American history month.

“It was a successful event, and we thought why limit it to African American history month,” Lesak said. “We want to be inclusive in the library.” The start of LASO this year also helped the read-in gain attention. Carlos Lopez said, “The two naturally came together in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.”

Following Tony Lopez’s idea last year to have a Latin American read-in, Carlos Lopez was able to introduce LASO. “What inspired me to host was the fact that we were a new affinity group,” he said, “and we wanted to showcase our culture.” Carlos Lopez was nervous about the read-in, which was one of the first events LASO held.

“I was a little nervous because there was some backlash when they were trying to create a white affinity group,” he said. “I thought people would take our group and think it was a double standard, but people were surprisingly accepting.”

Senior Kelsey Vasquez used this opportunity to share some of her original poems. She said, “I wanted those who were there to hear the rhythm that flows into my piece that ties along to the identity of my Peruvian culture.”

Carlos Lopez decided to read poems by published poets. “The way I chose the poems I read is very simple,” he said. “I just read until something struck me. If it strikes me then it has to strike someone else. I saw a lot of people read the pieces that have touched them the most and a lot of the people reflecting on them. It was beautiful and that was exactly what I was hoping for the read in.”

And Carlos Lopez wants more. He said, “What I hope for the future of LASO is to provide a strong unity within the Latin American students at Parker in every grade, not just the high school.”

The library hopes to hold an LGBTQ read-in in November when Parker celebrates pride week. “We want all students to feel represented here, and we really want to celebrate that,” Lesak said. “I think it is a really special thing to come together and share literature together.”