He is an avid boxing fan, she enjoys riding in her car singing at the top of her lungs and together, Brian Davis and Samiko “Sam” Price, co-sponsors for the multi-cultural events at Nicholls, are planning Hispanic Heritage month.
Hispanic Heritage month began on Sept. 15 and will last through Oct. 15. It is just one part of the Student Government Association president’s diversity strategic plan to incorporate different cultures, religions and ethnicities on campus.
Throughout the month, students will be informed about Hispanic culture, and on Oct. 11 a Hispanic history day will be celebrated.
Food will be served including traditional Spanish and Latin fruit, tortillas and possibly virgin margaritas. Modern Latin music will be played, and Davis and Price hope to have dancers do an interactive performance.
Spanish flags will be displayed along with information about the culture. Games will be played, and Hispanic students at Nicholls will talk about their culture.
During the summer, Davis had the opportunity to study in Spain. He learned the Spanish language fluently in a five-week period.
“It was an immersing style of learning. The instructor only spoke Spanish, and we could only speak Spanish back,” Davis said.
“It was an enlightening experience to see how other cultures live,” he said.
Davis was always interested in other cultures and the constant traveling he did with his father who was in the military enabled him to experience them firsthand.
Japanese was his primary language when he was younger. He learned how to both read and write in Japanese.
When Davis finished high school, he moved to California, which he described as “a melting pot of races, culture and sexual preferences.”
“It’s really unique to be able to learn about different cultures and different people and see how different people live,” Davis said.
Davis wants to bring some of that enthusiasm, information and knowledge back to the student body.
“A lot of times people’s minds are closed to different cultures or they are just unaware of it,” he said.
Other students have noticed his dedication. “Brian is a hard-working individual who gives 110 percent to all that he does,” James Irwin, Student Programming Association president, said. “He goes beyond the usual to make us aware of the many diverse events and people that make up our university and country.”
Price is interested in the multi-culture activities because she believes an “exchange of ideas could create a diversified Nicholls.” She’s excited about the Hispanic Heritage month personally because her father is from Guatemala.
She hopes that people will see that the SGA is trying to reach out to different people on campus and that those people would want to join the SGA senate. “We want a more diversified senate so that it can function properly,” Price said.
Besides being co-sponsors for multi-cultural events, Davis and Price are active in other areas of the University as well as in their personal lives.
Davis is a mass communication senior and he plans to graduate in May 2003. While at Nicholls he has served on the SGA senate, SPA board and as vice president of the Public Relations Student Society of America.
Davis said getting involved is part of the entire college experience.
“If you just go to school and class, you are missing out on your college education. Extra-curricular activities break up the monotony,” Davis said.
After graduation, he plans to seek employment in pharmaceutical sales or medical sales.
Davis said the positive influences in his life have been his mother, grandparents and God. He said his mother taught him perseverance and how to be true to himself. Davis believes that all things are possible through God.
On the weekends, Davis likes to ride horses especially his quarter horse, Murry. Davis loves all sports. He played intramurals at Nicholls and boxed in California.
Price is majoring in government and minoring in mass communication. She will also graduate in May 2003. She has been the public relations officer for the College Republicans, a member of the emerging leaders program, a member of the honors program and on the honors council.
Price has served as vice president pro temp for the SGA and on various University committees. She has been honored for Who’s Who Among American Universities and Colleges, and for Who’s Who Among Student Government Associations.
Price has worked at Eckerd’s since age 16, and she is a licensed pharmacist technician. She collects Noah’s ark items and enjoys doing voices, dancing and playing pedro. Price said she is also a movie buff.
“Sam is caring and compassionate,” Alcie Maxwell, SGA president, said. “She’s always looking for things to do to better herself and the University.”
She also loves to make people laugh.
“I enjoy that warm fuzzy feeling when you make people laugh out loud,” Price said.
Price listens to 70s and 80 s music. Some of her favorite artists are the Temptations and Adam Sandler.
Price said she is a very impressionable person.
“My grandparents are the reason I am who I have become today,” she said.
Price hopes to enroll in Boston University to study law after graduation.
Both Davis and Price encourage the students to come out and enjoy themselves during Hispanic Heritage Month.