North Texas Daily

Blessing Wokocha

Intern

@BlessingWokocha

The country of Brazil is known for its vivacious, colorful and festive carnival that occurs every year in Rio de Janeiro. This carnival draws various ethnic groups and people from around the world over the course of four days to celebrate this vibrant nation, according to CNN.com.

According to globaledge.edu, Brazil has the largest population in Latin America with 190 million people calling it home, so it was only a matter of time until UNT got a taste of this lively nation through a new organization.

On Feb. 26, with the help of 15 other people, journalism senior Mariana Viana formed the first Brazilian Students Association.

“There are so many organizations for other countries and cultures like Mexico, but there wasn’t one for Brazil,” Viana said. “There are about 20 Brazilians at UNT and I think we should unite them and be officially represented as an organization.”

Viana is the president of BRASA and wanted Brazilians to be adequately represented on campus, and for other non-Brazilians to be informed and educated about Brazil.

“There hasn’t been an association like this before at UNT so it’s a great addition,” said Tracy Everbach, BRASA advisor and journalism professor. “The students will now have a place to discuss and get together and have a place that’s good for them.”

Another founding member of the organization is business senior Luna Laurent, the executive director of development for BRASA.

Laurent’s main goal is getting the name of the organization out while developing and improving the group’s previous accomplishments.

“We need more people to share the culture,” Laurent said. “There are Brazilians at UNT and some are not involved, so we want to bring people together, and we believe that BRASA is going to do that.”

BRASA members consider the organization to be more like a club than an association.

“We’re going to have some events, like a dance workshop, cooking events, culinary nights, and inform Brazilians about scholarships and all types of benefits,” Viana said.

Laurent also said that various topics concerning Brazilian culture will be discussed as well.

“The Brazilian economy is growing a lot and nobody knows that,” Laurent said. “Brazil is a large market now.”

BRASA has not had an official meeting yet, but they plan to meet at 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays once a month and will be March 28.

“Every culture is worth discussing,” Laurent said. “The world is so big and different.”