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Drake To Host Pan American Festival

karina girls
Karina Barone and the Gateway Dance Theatre will provide entertainment at the luncheon.

CONTACT: Ericca Pollack, 515-271-3712, ericca.pollack@drake.edu

Drake University will celebrate the 117th anniversary of the Organization of American States with a Pan American Day Celebration at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 12, in Olmsted Center, 29th Street and University Avenue. The luncheon, which is open to the public, is designed to celebrate Latin culture and emphasize the important historical ties between North and South America.

This year’s theme is “Education: The Road for Success” (“Educación: La Ruta Para el Exito”). Nancy Sebring, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, will give the keynote address. Karina Barone and the Gateway Dance Theatre will provide entertainment.

Hilda Prieto, Drake assistant professor emerita of Spanish, and her husband, Antonio, are the founders and organizers of the festival, which is sponsored by Drake’s Dean of Students Office and the Center for Global Citizenship. The event has been celebrated at Drake since 1968.

The cost of the luncheon is $12 per person. Reservations are required and should be made by Friday, April 6. For information and reservations, call 515-271-2835.