MEChA de wwu

Media kit
By Sara Comstock & Dylan Green

Table of contents
All work created by Sara Comstock & Dylan Green

1. Media Backgrounder . . . pg. 1-5

2. Top 10 FAQ . . . pg. 6-7
3. New logo with tagline . . . pg. 8
4. Feature story pitch . . . pg. 9
5. Story ideas . . . pg. 10-11
6. Media clips. . . pg. 12-13
7. Photos of MEChA de WWU . . .

pg. 14-15

5/24/2015 Jour 380, Advanced PR Writing & Techniques, Prof. Maria Mcleod. Western Washington University

MEChA de WWU
Media Backgrounder

(The Chicano Student Movement of Aztln)

Press Contact: Dylan Green
dylgreen.westernfront@gmail.com
360.201.3331

Overview:
MEChA de WWU (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztln/Chicano Student Movement of Aztln) is open
to all students and dedicated to confronting educational and social justice issues facing the Chicano and Latino communities today. It is a part of the Ethnic Student Center at WWU and is funded through the Associated
Students body, making it one of the 250 AS clubs. The current president is Jacqueline Chavez, a student studying
American Culture and Social Justice. Currently, the club has a member base of 25 students, and meets once a
week. The board members, made up of 11 students, meet once a week as well. Through education, MEChA de
WWU is committed to the promotion of ethnic tolerance, intercultural understanding, and empowerment. As
students and activists, they recognize the need to extend their mission beyond the campus of WWU and into the
greater community of La Raza (the race or the people) and beyond.
MEChA de WWU is part of the Alto Pacifico Aztln region, which is one of the 10 regions that make up the
national MEChA organization.

Upcoming Events and Current Activities:

1. 15th Annual Lowrider Competition takes place at Western Washington University May 17th. This event features entertainment, competitions, raffles, food and exposure of club sponsors. Its also an opportunity for local
high school and middle school MEChA chapters to interact with the WWUs chapter.
(Contact: Patricia Pacheco pachecop08@yahoo.com)
2. Tamales and Doritos fundraisers will occur throughout spring quarter 2015 to raise money for upcoming
events. MEChA de WWU made of 600 tamales last quarter, which helped MEChA send nine students to the
national MEChA conference in Chicago.
3.MEChA de WWU hosts board meetings every Monday in Academic West (7 pm room changes per week)
4.MEChA de WWU hosts club meetings for their 10-30 members at 7pm every Thursday in the CEED room
of Miller Hall. Club meetings are always open to the public and often times engage with larger audiences due to
activities, food and/or events hosted.

mecha media backgrounder - May 28, 2015 Page 1

Fact Sheet:
Key Terms

Mechistas: A member not only of MEChA, but one who associates themselves to the Chicano culture.
Chicanismo: A mindset and belief system that embraces the Chicano heritage
Movimiento: Movement in Spanish. In terms of MEChA, it refers to a mindset of self-determination.
Estudiantil: Student in Spanish. The foundation of MEChA is students, who represent the emerging generation
of Chicanismo.
Aztln: Representative of the rich, indigenous history of the Chicano and Latino culture, dating back to the original basin of Mexico, Anahauc.

Local:

In the 1980s, WWUs students of color only made up 3.7% of the overall student body. In 2014, the
Latino population doubled that, at 6.6%, and the overall student of color population counter for 23.6% of the
overall population. For more information, visit WWU Diversity Facts here: http://www.wwu.edu/diversity/stats.
shtml

MEChA is an AS club and a part of WWUs Ethnic Student Center, which consists of 17 ethnic clubs.
Two of the seventeen clubs represent Latino heritage (MEChA and Latino Student Union).

Winter quarter 2015, MEChA de WWU made and sold over 600 tamales in the city of Bellingham. The
chapter plans to repeat this fundraiser after seeing such a high level of success and positive reception of the tamales in the local community. ((Sanchez and Chavez, 2015)

MEChA de WWU sponsors other clubs (World Issues Fairhaven, ASURT [Autonomous Students
United to Reduce Tuition], SUPER [Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights]) on campus to strengthen the
diversity and community of the campus. (Sanchez and Chavez, 2015)

8.6% of people in Whatcom County are Latino in 2013, compared to 5.2% in 2000 (Quick Stats)

55% of Latino students graduate from high school in the Bellingham School District in 2002 (Civic Report)

Regional:

In 2005, Latinos were incarcerated nearly 1.5 times as much as a Caucasian. (Task Force on Race, 2011)

The average dropout rate for Hispanics in Washington State 5.9% in 2010, heavily contrasting the 10.2%
drop out rate in 2003. (Terry Bergeson and Deb Came, 2003 and 2010)

In 1971, Washington State had a 15,411 Latino students enrolled in public education. In 2005, that number had jumped to 131,250. (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, 2006)

mecha media backgrounder - May 28, 2015 Page 2

National:

From 2009-2010, Hispanic college enrollment jumped 24%, making them the leading nationality it college enrollment. See left visual (Richard Fry, 2011)

From 2000-2010, the Hispanic population grew 43% in contrast to the nations overall growth of 9.7%.
(National Council of La Raza, 2011)

In a 2012 study, PEW Research Center released that Hispanic drop out rate at a high school level had
reach a record low, and in reflection, Hispanic students enrolling in college reached a record high. See right visual (Richard Fry and Paul Taylor, 2013)

mecha media backgrounder - May 28, 2015 Page 3

Bios:
Jacqueline Chavez Co-chair (2014-2015)
Contact: chavezj2@students.wwu.edu

Jacqueline Chavez is in her junior year at Western, majoring in American Cultural Studies and minoring
in Education and Social Justice. She grew up with 5 siblings and her parents, Mariana Diaz and Hector Chavez,
who are from El Salvador. Mariana and Hector raised her to be proud of her Salvadoran roots and embrace
her American identity as well. After coming to Western and finding MEChA, Jacqueline was influenced to get
involved with the Latin@ community on and off campus. She realized that she wanted to work with students and
teach ethnic studies in secondary school to help more students of color have access to higher education. After
Jacqueline graduates, she hopes to go on and earn her masters in Education, making her the first in her family to
graduate college and earn her masters.

Francisco Sanchez Co-chair (2014-2015)

Contact: sanchef2@students.wwu.edu

Francisco (Paco) Sanchez is a first generation Chicano college student from Chelan, Washington with
roots in El Colecio, Michoacan. Paco is the son of Guadalupe Garcia Negrete and Benjamin Sanchez Galvez. He
was raised in a migrant farmworker community along with the rest of his numerous tios, tias, primos y primas
(uncles, aunts and cousins). After transferring into Western in his second college year he began to understand his
responsibility as a Chicano, and importance of working towards liberation through the decolonization of ones
self. He is majoring in American Cultural Studies with a minor in Education and Social Justice. Paco plans to
travel to Central America after graduating in 2016.

Boilerplate:
MEChA de WWU is an AS Club and one of the first ethnic student clubs to first emerge at WWU. The club
formed in the early 70s, predating Westerns Ethnic Student Center. MEChA de WWU advocates for Latino students pursuing higher education, social justice topics such as gender and race and spreads the word of the Latino
heritage and culture. The current president, Jacqueline Chavez, organizes both board and member meetings
with the help of Vice President Francisco Sanchez. Club meetings occur at 7 pm every Thursday in Miller Hall
and board meetings occur at 7pm every Monday in Academic Instructional Center West. The club has 25 active
members, and reaches out to the community through fundraising and events. MEChA de WWUs most prominent events are the Annual Lowrider Competition and Dias de los Muertos celebration. For more information,
visit MEChA de WWus Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WWUMEChA?fref=ts

mecha media backgrounder - May 28, 2015 Page 4

Sources:
20 FAQs about Hispanics. National Council of La Raza. January 1, 2011. Accessed April 24, 2015. http://www.
nclr.org/index.php/about_us/faqs/most_frequently_asked_questions_about_hispanics_in_the_us/.
Bergeson, Terry. Graduation and Dropout Statistics. Www.k12.wa.us. September 1, 2005. Accessed April

24, 2015. http://www.k12.wa.us/dataadmin/pubdocs/GradDropout/03-04/Graduationanddropoutstatis
tics2003-04Final.pdf.
Came, Deb. Graduation and Dropout Statistics Annual Report 2010-11. www.k12.wa.us. March 1, 2012.

Accessed April 24, 2015. http://www.k12.wa.us/dataadmin/pubdocs/GradDropout/10-11/GradDropout
Stats_2010-11.pdf.
Hispanic College Enrollment Spikes, Narrowing Gaps with Other Groups. Pew Research Centers Hispanic

Trends Project RSS. August 25, 2011. Accessed April 24, 2015. http://www.pewhispanic.org/2011/08/25/
hispanic-college-enrollment-spikes-narrowing-gaps-with-other-groups/.
Hispanic High School Graduates Pass Whites in Rate of College Enrollment. Pew Research Centers Hispanic

Trends Project RSS. May 9, 2013. Accessed April 24, 2015. http://www.pewhispanic.org/2013/05/09/his
panic-high-school-graduates-pass-whites-in-rate-of-college-enrollment/.
Low Hispanic College Graduation Rates Threaten U.S. Attainment Goals. Http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Me
dia-Center/Press-Releases/2010/03/Low-Hispanic-College-Graduation-Rates-Threaten-US-Attain

ment-Goals. January 1, 2010. Accessed April 23, 2015. http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Media-Center/
Press-Releases/2010/03/Low-Hispanic-College-Graduation-Rates-Threaten-US-Attainment-Goals.
P. Greene, Jay. Civic Report 27 | High School Graduation Rates in Washington State. Civic Report 27 | High

School Graduation Rates in Washington State. August 1, 2002. Accessed April 25, 2015. http://www.man
hattan-institute.org/html/cr_27.htm.
Preliminary Report on Race and Washingtons Criminal Justice System. Http://www.law.washington.edu/.

January 1, 2011. Accessed April 24, 2015. http://www.law.washington.edu/About/RaceTaskForce/
preliminary_report_race_criminal_justice_030111.pdf.
United States Census Bureau. Whatcom County QuickFacts from the US

Census Bureau. March 1,2015. Accessed April 10, 2015.http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/53/53073.
html.
Washington State Public School October Enrollment Comparisons 1971-2004. Http://www.k12.wa.us/dataad

min/. January 1, 2005. Accessed April 23, 2015. http://www.k12.wa.us/dataadmin/.

mecha media backgrounder - May 28, 2015 Page 5

MEChA de WWU
Top 10 f.a.q. pt. i

(The Chicano Student Movement of Aztln)

Press Contact: Dylan Green
dylgreen.westernfront@gmail.com
360.201.3331

1. What does MEChA stand for?

Movimiento Estudiantil Chican@ de Aztln (Student Movement of Aztln)

2. What does the @ sign in Chican@ and Latin@ mean?

The @ has been adopted as a new gender inclusive symbol. The Spanish language used by MEChA
assigns most words to be either male/female, and by using the @ symbol, all genders are included.

3. What is MEChAs mission?

MEChAs focus is to advocate for Latin@ pursuit of higher education, gender inclusivity and reclaiming
the rights to a lost heritage and culture.

4. What are the benefits of being a member?

MEChA offers an environment for all students to feel safe in discussing topics that have societal impact.
Integrating these conversations with the rich Latin@ culture makes for an experience parallel to none.

5. When was MEChA established?

Larry Estrada, a Fairhaven and WWU faculty member, started Westerns chapter of MEChA in hopes to
unite Latino students in higher education programs to advocate for those who arent. This began in the late 90s.
MEChA de WWUs current faculty chair is Veronica Velez, a Woodring and Fairhaven faculty member and chair
of the Education and Social Justice minor.

6.What annual/quarterly events does MEChA host?

MEChAs largest event is the annual Lowrider Competition, held on Westerns campus in late May.
The event began in 2000 and brings in a variety of food, entertainment and activities. MEChA also fundraises
throughout the year to help fund their trips to events such as the monthly regional meetings and National MEChA conference.

In addition to these events, MEChA participates in heritage dinners at WWU and hosts a Dias de los
Muertos event.

mecha media backgrounder - May 28, 2015 Page 6

MEChA de WWU
Top 10 f.a.q. pt. ii

(The Chicano Student Movement of Aztln)

Press Contact: Dylan Green
dylgreen.westernfront@gmail.com
360.201.3331

7. What type of time commitment does MEChA require?

MEChA meets as a club once a week and board members also meet once a week. Meetings are optional
and open to all students. Students and members choose their level of involvement, whether that means attending
every meeting and event, or simply visiting a meeting when available.

8. Where and when are MEChA meetings?

Club meetings are held in Miller Hall in the CEED room at 7pm every Thursday, and board meetings
take place in Academic West every Monday (room changes per week).

9. Who can I contact to get involved?

Jacqueline Chavez and Paco Sanchez (co-chairs of MEChA de WWU) are both available to answer any
and all questions related to MEChA de WWU.
chavezj2@students.wwu.edu
franciscosnachef2@gmail.com

10. Where can I go to learn more?

Visit our Facebook page to find out about upcoming events and meetings:
www.facebook.com/WWUMEChA?fref=ts

mecha media backgrounder - May 28, 2015 Page 7

MEChA de WWU
New Logo

(The Chicano Student Movement of Aztln)

Press Contact: Dylan Green
dylgreen.westernfront@gmail.com
360.201.3331

-Circle logo for dynamic

placement options

-youthful font reflecting

university and students

-Using wings and original mecha

symbolism to reflect heritage
and culture
-national mecha tagline
integrated with new logo
White version available upon
request for dark backgrounds

Detailed hi-res version available

upon request

mecha media backgrounder - May 28, 2015 Page 8

MEChA de WWU
Feature story pitch

(The Chicano Student Movement of Aztln)

Press Contact: Dylan Green
dylgreen.westernfront@gmail.com
360.201.3331

Dear Maddie Takata and Heidi DeHart,

For some, joining a club can create lasting friendships. For Western Washington University student Jacqueline
Chavez, joining a club meant gaining a family.
Chavez, a junior, is the co-chair of MEChA which stands for Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztln (MEChA- The Chicano Student Movement of Aztln). The club works in the community to provide information to
the Latino community about higher education opportunities. Chavez, whose parents were born in El Salvador,
comes from a family deep rooted in culture. After moving from north Los Angeles to Kenmore, Chavez felt a
pull towards something more.
MEChA, which in part advocates for higher Education in the Latino community, also works in supporting
culture and heritage in and around Whatcom County. MEChAs importance doesnt just reside in what they can
do for the community, but the information and support it offers to groups of people who are commonly marginalized in society today. Chavez felt that after being involved with MEChA, her cultural roots were strengthened
and a purpose as well as an opportunity to influence people has presented itself.
Other potential interviewees could be the co-chair Francisco Sanchez, who also has felt he had been given a
community when involved with MEChA. Stephanie Arroyo another member of MEChA, would be great to interview as well. Their contact information is:
Jacqueline Chavez: (425) 492-6779
Francisco Sanchez: (509) 630-3062
Stephanie Arroyo: (425) 239-5717
Potential art: The Lowrider show is coming up, and images of traditional Latin dancing, food, and of course
the cars could be used. The show takes place the week after Back to Bellingham, May 17, at 11:00 A.M. in Red
Square.
Thank you,
Sara Comstock
(425) 275-2149
comstos2@students.wwu.edu

mecha media backgrounder - May 28, 2015 Page 9

MEChA de WWU
Story ideas pt. i

(The Chicano Student Movement of Aztln)

Press Contact: Dylan Green
dylgreen.westernfront@gmail.com
360.201.3331

1. A History
Interview Larry Estrada, director of American Cultural Studies at Western, a man who had an integral role in
the creation of MEChA de WWU. Also interview Veronica Velez, a Fairhaven College race and ethnic studies
professor, who is the faculty advisor for the club. These faculty members could shed light on the topic of why
students of color are so vital to Westerns population, and even more focused, why MEChA de WWU is such an
integral part of the Western community.
Art:
*Include historical images of early MEChA clubs
*Include timeline of MEChAs history (beginning with farmworkers justice coalitions) up to the creation of MEChA de WWU.

2. A Flavorful Culture
MEChA has run a number of different fundraisers on campus centric to food items paletas, homemade duritos, tamales and more. A story featuring the delicious creations of the club, how theyre made and why food is
important to the club would be an intriguing story that students of any race could take interest in.
Art:
*Include photos from tamale-making session, paletas sales and duritos sales.
*Include simple recipes?

mecha media backgrounder - May 28, 2015 Page 10

MEChA de WWU
Story ideas pt. ii

(The Chicano Student Movement of Aztln)

Press Contact: Dylan Green
dylgreen.westernfront@gmail.com
360.201.3331

3. Farmworkers Justice

With the summer season coming up, farmers markets are beginning to appear. Along with farmers markets, many farm workers are beginning to begin to work. Unjust treatment of farm workers has been a problem
in the past, so how well is Sakura Farm Workers treatment going? This is a follow up story, to see how treatment
has gone. MEChA has students involved with the movement for better treatment of farm workers, so contacting
members of MEChA is a way to start.
Sources:
Jacqueline Chavez
chavezj2@students.wwu.edu
Stephanie Arroyo
Phone: (425) 239- 5717

4. MEChA National Conference

Every year, the national non-profit organization MEChAs national chapter holds a conference inviting all
chapters to come. This event allows for the different chapters from all over to discuss the important events happening in todays society. Positive discussions are held, and the fundamental pillars of MEChA are upheld. This
year some members of MEChA went to the conference in Chicago.
Sources:
Francisco Sanchez
9509) 630-3062
Jacqueline Chavez
chavezj2@students.wwu.edu

mecha media backgrounder - May 28, 2015 Page 11

MEChA de WWU
Media clips pt. i

(The Chicano Student Movement of Aztln)

Press Contact: Dylan Green
dylgreen.westernfront@gmail.com
360.201.3331

The AS Review coverage of

the 2014 Dia de los Muertos event. Written by Auzin
Ahmadi
Read more here:
http://as.wwu.edu/asreview/mecha-remembering-loved-ones/

The Western Front coverage

of MEChAs stand for solidarity in response to the 43
missing students in Mexico.
Read more here:
http://www.westernfrontonline.net/news/news_photo/
article_30c30562-710711e4-be8c-d72389cfe49c.
html

mecha media backgrounder - May 28, 2015 Page 12

MEChA de WWU
media clips pt. ii

(The Chicano Student Movement of Aztln)

Press Contact: Dylan Green
dylgreen.westernfront@gmail.com
360.201.3331

Western Today covered the 11th

Lowrider Show in 2011. Written by
Western Today staff.
Read more here:
http://www.onlinefast.org/wwutoday/news/annual-lowrider-showtake-place-may-15-wwu

mecha media backgrounder - May 28, 2015 Page 13

MEChA de WWU
Photos and media

(The Chicano Student Movement of Aztln)

Press Contact: Dylan Green
dylgreen.westernfront@gmail.com
360.201.3331

Lowrider Competition 2015

Photo credit: Stephanie Cheng

Contact press for hi-res files.

Lowrider Competition 2015

Photo credit: Stephanie Cheng

Contact press for hi-res files.

mecha media backgrounder - May 28, 2015 Page 14

MEChA de WWU
Photos and media

(The Chicano Student Movement of Aztln)

Press Contact: Dylan Green
dylgreen.westernfront@gmail.com
360.201.3331

Solidarity for missing students 2014

Photo credit: Busayo Bamidele
Contact press for hi-res files.

mecha club meeting 2014

Photo credit: Aleyda Cervantes

Contact press for hi-res files.

mecha media backgrounder - May 28, 2015 Page 15