Skyline College Theater was the definition of school spirit and unity Friday, May 2, as multiple aspects of the Skyline community was represented at the LASO Jam, a benefit concert to aid undocumented and Latino American students’ goal toward higher education.

Latino American Student Organization hosted its third occurrence of the event which hosted a variety of entertainment including spoken word, acrobatic dancers with a Latin twist, and live bands. The concert was well attended by students, faculty, friends of LASO members, and even friends and family of the entertainers who came to support the cause.

Some of the performers were Skyline students, such as Serge “Checo” and Maximillian Varela of Urban Youth Society, or had a direct relationship with the LASO club or a faculty member.

Leo Rosales of popular Latin rock band Malo, is married to Virginia Rosales of the TRIO program on campus, and has continued to show support for the LASO program, this time playing with the band Crossfire. Then there were those who couldn’t make it but still found a way to contribute, such as Skyline Professor John Ulloa, a drummer, who donated 10 CDs for sale and raffle.

According to Treasurer of LASO Noemi Perdomo, a majority of the entertainers performed at no cost because it was a benefit concert. Perdomo called in favors by networking through her brother, a DJ for the dance group Club Destructores who performed, to get Los Plebes Mañosos to come as well.

When the dancers performed, the crowd in unison would scream “whoa” as the male dancers would throw the girls high into the air as they flipped before being caught.

“I was blown away by the dancers somersaulting and everything,” audience member Francisco Hernandez said.

For most of the LASO members who met sometimes twice a week to plan the event, the unity between clubs and the energy from those who attended was worth it.

“It was nice to have the different groups come out,” LASO member Lucas Guerra said. “I think the support from UYS was huge. I’m glad the show went on, for a moment there we didn’t even think it was going to happen, (but) all in all I believe the show was a success and I am excited for the next one.”

Hip-hop artist Serge “Checo” Hurtado enjoyed performing for the highly energetic crowd.

“There was a common vibe that everybody came together on collectively on a subconscious level,” Hurtado said. “It was my first benefit concert for Latino empowerment so it was an honor to perform.”

LASO also allowed for UYS to have a table in the lobby where they could sell merchandise and student Latasha Washington to have a concession stand so that both raise money. Washington, who is going to Africa in the summer with Habitat For Humanity, appreciated the opportunity.

“It was a benefit within itself,” said Washington. “It showed support and that students can come together and support each other despite their ethnic identity. Good people feed off of good people and that’s the energy I got from LASO. It was amazing and heart-warming.”

Blanca, a San Jose based Spanish- rock band, came back to Skyline for the third time in support of the cause. The band that has made their mantra “Anything Is Possible” has spent the past few years putting together a CD titled just that. Though sharing their music and pushing their CD was part of their focus, they donated $5 of each CD sale that night to LASO’s scholarship fund. Another intention of theirs was to have some fun.

“We enjoy playing for the crowd here, the college, the students,” lead singer and songwriter Blanca Sandoval said. “We’re happy to be back, and that they invited us back.”

Since their first visit they’ve made spiritual connections with some of the students from Skyline.

“This is how we met Noemi- through that friendship, on Facebook and stuff, now we call each other brother and sister; we’ve been friends since 2011,” said drummer Mike Juarez. “We follow Noemi’s progress through school, and when she posts her test results we give her encouragement, tell her keep pushing and going for it.”

The band collectively agrees that education is important, especially for the Latinos and other undocumented individuals who come to the United States to study.

“We think school is very important, and the cause is important because there is a lot of people who can’t go to school because of money,” Sandoval said.

With their recent CD, the band is familiar with the hard work and dedication necessary for dreams to be achieved, but recognizes the pay-off is gratifying. As they relate to the cause, their mantra inevitably came into play.

“The last year that we played here they showed a film showcasing four students that had benefited from the money from the scholarship program and it showed some that were actually graduating,” said Juarez. “It was very powerful hearing their testimony; where they came from and how they started, and being the first in their families to go to college and graduate. It’s very important and a self-esteem builder from basically showing commitment and sticking through it even though life throws speed bumps and hurdles. Anything is possible.”