Una noche de celebracíon: Latin Hispanic Alliance highlights culture

Evan Bates

During the event, competitions like a Jarritos drinking game were held to celebrate Latino and Hispanic culture in a creative way.

Jenna Guzman and Jaclyn Bartlett
October 13, 2021

App State’s Latin Hispanic Alliance and Multicultural Greek Council hosted the annual Latin Hispanic Heritage Festival Oct. 6, a celebratory event in honor of Latin Hispanic Heritage Month.

Brenda Valdez, president of LHA said the purpose of the festival is for members of the Latin Hispanic community to come together to celebrate their culture, identities and roots. It is also an opportunity for those who don’t identify as Hispanic to learn and appreciate the cultures.

Brenda Valdez, president of the Latin Hispanic Alliance, thanks panelists and introduces the games about to be played. (Evan Bates)

Valdez said the festival has “been going on way before I was here,” and that the organization wanted to continue this tradition.

The festival fell during National Hispanic Heritage Month which is Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

“We may only have this designated month, but that’s not the only time we’re gonna celebrate. During this month we’re going to go all out,” Valdez said. 

Valdez said LHA has been planning this event since the summer. 

The festival, attended by roughly 150 people, celebrated Hispanic culture through food, guest speakers and games. Students embraced and shared their heritage and culture with others through this opportunity. 

“It provides a sense of comfort and a sense of my identity being acknowledged, and I love that it’s not only acknowledged but celebrated,” said Berenice Blanco, senior elementary education major.

The event began with a panel of six Hispanic scholars from the community discussing their journeys in education and family, where and how to build relationships, and how to overcome the struggles of being in a predominately white institution.

Only 8% of App State students are of Latin/Hispanic descent according to App State’s office of Institutional Research, Assessment, and Planning.

“You have to carry the weight of all of your people in a predominantly white school,” said Jose Cisneros-Tirado, a panelist at the event.

Carlos Montero is an alumnus and professor at App State. The Emmy Award-winning news anchor of CNN En Español discussed opportunities in journalism for members of the Latin Hispanic community on campus, such as Buenos Días Boone, Boone’s only news show for Spanish speakers.

After the panel discussion, guests volunteered to participate in games such as musical chairs, Hispanic heritage trivia, a Jalapeño eating contest and a Jarritos drinking game in which participants chugged the Mexican soda.

Volunteers and members of the event planning team served food provided by Los Arcoiris Mexican Grill & Catina to attendees. Panelists spoke about the struggles of being a Latin or Hispanic student in higher education and building a community and support system in school. (Evan Bates)

The Beta Chi Chapter of Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority Inc. then did a presentation highlighting local stores that sell Hispanic goods.

Guests danced to music by popular Hispanic artists such as Bad Bunny, Romeo Santos, and Pitbull, concluding the celebratory night.

“Just having that touch of my culture while I’m at school is very important to me,” said Vanesa Flores-Sanchez, a sophomore supply-chain management major. 

One thing members of the LHA board and the panelists want attendees to take away from this event is to be proud and embrace their culture, identities and accomplishments. 

 

 

After the event formally finished, the audience was encouraged to stay and dance to popular songs sung in Spanish. (Evan Bates)