20-30’s Associates

In 1968, Luso-American Fraternal wanted to bridge the gap amongst our youth and adult members and place the most decisive hopes and trust, in young men and women from the ages of 18 to 40 years and Luso-American Fraternal Federation would call them, the “20-30 Associates”. The rules and regulations for this group state, “the purpose of the ’20-30 Associates’ is to unite a body of people in the intermediate age of the membership in the Society with a common interest in promoting the cultural heritage, aims and purposes of the Luso-American Fraternal Federation as an auxiliary to the Society.

As an organization, the “20-30 Associates” are divided into “Regions” within the State of California, each promoting social, civic and fraternal programs for the general welfare and enjoyment of its members, who have their own regional officers and committees, and for the welfare of the LUSO-Family and of the community.

This type of assigned authority raises funds for deserving causes like educational and civic projects; it promotes regional interest and participation; it stimulates the members to take an active part in the activities in the region; it assists the young in promoting development and leadership, giving as well incentive for personal initiative and citizenship; it designs and implements projects to meet the social needs of each region; and unites, supervises and reports the accomplishments of each Region.

At the Annual Convention, the 20-30’s Associates elect their President and officers, and during the year participate in the receptions and events honoring the Fraternal President, Youth President and their own 20-30’s President.

Matthew Teixeira

20-30's President

20-30’s Associates Line Officers

Matthew Teixeira
President
Region 7 Sacramento

Elisabeth Vieira
Vice President
Region 1-14 Silicon Valley

Nicholas Vieira
Secretary
Region 1-14 Silicon Valley

Grant Silva
Treasurer
Region 6 Modesto

Sydney Da Silva
Mistress of Ceremonies
Region 7 Sacramento

Justin Brito
20-30’s Director
Region 6 Modesto

Justin Do Canto
20-30’s Director
Region 8 Tulare

Alyssa Rocha
20-30’s Director
Region 1 Bay Area

Youth Administration

One of the concerns of the Luso-American Fraternal is to keep the young members interested in its aims and purposes and to prepare them for future leadership responsibilities. To ensure this important goal, in 1955 a youth department with its own administration was created allowing the youth to establish their own youth councils and develop programs and supervise activities designed to give them the opportunity to learn the culture, traditions of their Portuguese ancestors and enhance their knowledge of fraternalism, parliamentary procedure and importance of civic involvement in their communities.

Every year the youth councils sponsor a queen contest to help fund college scholarships for fellow youth members, and as part of their contribution to the Annual Convention, present a program, in which they perform either in a dance category or in the musical variety category.

At the Annual Convention, the youth elect their President and officers, and during the year participate in receptions and events honoring the Fraternal President and their own Youth President.

Gianna Vasconcelos

Youth President

Gavin Xavier Silva was born on August 6, 2004 in Manteca, California. He is the middle child of Daniel and Melanie Silva, younger brother to Grant Silva and older brother to Grace Silva. Gavin, who is 17 years old, is currently a senior at East Union High School in Manteca. In high school, Gavin is a member of the California Scholarship Federation Club. He is a member of the leadership class where he serves as the senior class vice-president, and he is also a member of the East Union High School Varsity Basketball and Volleyball teams. After graduating high school, he plans on attending a UC or CSU while being close enough to still take part in his favorite festas.
Gavin always remains involved in his Portuguese culture. During the festa season, he attends festas across California, and helps at the FESM hall in Manteca, where his family has been involved his whole life. He enjoys attending bullfights, parades, and dances while traveling across California to different festas. In 2013, he had the opportunity to travel to the Azores where he spent 5 weeks during the summer on the islands of Pico, Faial, and Terceira.
Born on the weekend of the 2004 Convention in Sacramento and becoming a Luso member when he was about a month old, you could consider Gavin a true “Luso baby.” At three years old, he started dancing for Youth Council #24 Northern San Joaquin Valley, making this past convention his thirteenth performance with YC #24. He has held the position of Master of Ceremonies for his local youth council. On the State Youth Board, Gavin has served as Trustee, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice-President, and now as State Youth President. While serving on the youth board, he’s attended many council visits, the Luso Casa de Fruta Picnics, and the Luso American Education Foundation Cultural Summer Camp at UC Santa Cruz in 2019.
While serving as the Luso State Youth President, Gavin hopes to both promote and excite the youth of our society and hopes to see them get more involved in their beautiful culture. He hopes to see more youth join councils and grow to love Luso the way he has. He is truly looking forward to traveling across California and Idaho to different council visits with Luso Adult President Manuel Lawrence and his wife Alda, along with his daughter, 20’s-30’s President Jessica Lawrence, and the 2021 Convention Queen Teabella Pereira, and he hopes to see many of his fellow youth members join him along the way!