History of Los Mejicas

History

Grupo Folklórico Los Mejicas de la Universidad de California en Santa Cruz is one of the oldest and most well respected student organizations on campus. The group was established in 1972 by a small group of dedicated students including Juan Rios, Leticia Quezada, Ray Castro, Debbie Palacios, Lupe Friaz, and Francisco Santana. Since then, Los Mejicas has gained an outstanding reputation for their commitment to serving as an important cultural resource both on and off campus.

We are proud of have received numerous accolades from the campus and the community. In 2011, Watsonville Mayor Daniel Dodge proclaimed Friday June 3rd as "Grupo Folklórico Los Mejicas Day" in honor of the group for "preserving the beauty of our Mexicano/Latino heritage and cultura through dance, and for providing a safe place that creates a community of peers bound together by the love of dance and cultura." On June 4, 2011 Assembly member Bill Monning awarded the group with a certificate of recognition from the California State Assembly. On June 2013, Grupo folklórico Los Mejicas received the Chancellor's Achievement Award for Diversity for their contribution to diversity at UC Santa Cruz.

Please visit our gallery to see photographs of former and current activities!