Hispanic organizations show off culture in annual celebration
October 5, 2018
Charla Nalls | Staff Reporter
Students across campus are celebrating diversity through Hispanic Heritage Month.
The month highlighting Latin American culture kicked off on campus Sept. 13, although the official month starts on Sept. 15 and runs through Oct. 15.
The month-long celebration is meant to highlight the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from places of Hispanic background, like Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
“Because we are in Texas, we do tend to have more students who are Mexican, but it’s important to understand that Hispanic Heritage Month isn’t only for those who come from Mexico, there’s a lot more to it than that,” Graduate Assistant for S.E.E.D.S, Karina Tamez, explained.
Tamez said that she feels that it’s very important for students to be able to come together and develop a support system through these events.
“Within these times, I know some students whose parents are not supportive of them coming to college, but they’ve found the financial ability through whatever means and they are here, but they are alone,” she said. “Celebrating these types of things help them know that there are people and organizations on campus who will support them.”
Students have expressed that the month of celebration is important to them, because they are given the opportunity to show the culture that they are proud of.
“It’s a time for us to showcase our culture more often than we normally do,” Christian Aleman, member of Phi Iota Alpha said.
Many student organizations such as The Hispanic Student Organization and The Latino American Mentorship Program, as well as Greek organizations such as Sigma Lambda Alpha Sorority and Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity have come together to make a month full of events.
Upcoming events for the rest of the month include the Kappa Delta Chi’s Corn in a Cup Sale on Oct. 3 from 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. at Campus Crossroads, Salsa Night on Oct. 10 starting at 6 P.M. in Conference Rooms A and B of the Sam Rayburn Student Center, and Latino Music Trivia Night on Oct. 11, starting at 5 P.M. in The Club.
