Nearly 100 students had a night of dancing, music, fun and Latino culture at the second-annual Latino All-Star Jam Wednesday evening at the Walker-Adams Mall.

Students learned how to dance the meringue and salsa.

The jam continued well into the evening as students circled around the stage, leaving enough room for people to dance, while several groups performed.

The performers included David Pena and Zo Zungia, Omega Delta Phi, Mauricio Torres, a ranchero-style singer from Mexico, the University Achievement Class Lip Sync, Borinquen, Samonia, the American Indian Student Association and Conjunto ClavZ*.

The judges were: Shannon Freeman, director of McNair Scholars Program, Tom Greenlee, Vi Wickham and Quincy House, Center for Student Life assistant directors.

Conjunto ClavZ* stole the night and first place with its jazzy Latino style music. The crowd was captivated by the lively group and several couples salsa danced to its music. They received $500.

UAC Lip Sync and AISA tied for second place, receiving $300 each.

UAC Lip Sync performed to three different songs. Matthew Babcak, University College freshman, impersonated Madonna's "Don't Tell Me."

"They gave me a lot of freedom, and I had a lot of fun with it," Babcak said. "It is something I told them I wanted to so because I love Madonna, and I just let it all go and had fun."

AISA performed two Indian stomp dances in tribal costumes decorated with bells, feathers and bright colors.

Borinquen's salsa and Latino dancing won the third-place prize of $200.

Christina Audas, coordinator of the Latino Organization, said the event was a huge success. It collaborated more cultures other than just the Latino culture this year, she said.

"I think it went wonderful," she said. "We had even more dancers in the crowd this year. The crowd seemed to stay captivated and stick around longer."

Jason Manzano, computer engineering sophomore, attended the evening's events.

"It has been awesome," he said. "I think throughout the evening it has picked up a lot more, and I am just having a good time. I haven't been this hyper in a long time, and this is what did it."
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