| By
Lucrecia Arenas
This is Hispanic Heritage
Month and celebrations are under way.
This is a time for
Hispanics to celebrate their culture and their accomplishments in the
USA, their differences and contributions to society.
The National celebration
runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, a period during which most Latin American
countries celebrate their independence. Here at RVCC, the celebration
will go on through October. This celebration is organized by Student activities
and the Orgullo Latino (Latin Pride) Club.
Hispanic students
are 10% of our RVCC community; this number has doubled in the last five
years.
Rose Arroyo, co-advisor
of the Orgullo Latino club, said that Latinos sometimes forget their own
identity. This is a way to remind them that they are Latinos and should
be proud of their heritage.
“Hispanics make
up a big part of the U.S. today. This month helps us be recognized and
accounted for. It is important that we let the world know that we are
here to stay and proud of it,” said Gema Castañeda, a student
from Nicaragua.
Several activities
are planned to let everyone celebrate this month. This is not about celebrating
Hispanic culture by Hispanics alone but to share their heritage and celebrate
all together.
The opening ceremony
offered the flavor of Hispanic culture to an international group.
“The opening
was really good. I enjoyed it. Being Indian, I did not know anything about
Hispanic culture but, listening to the music, I am much more interested.
I think each and every culture has its own importance, and Hispanic culture
is one of the most important cultures of America,” said Purvi Gandhi
from India.
“I think is
good to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month. I’m not Hispanic but
I like it, said Samuella Kargbo, a student from South Africa.
Traditional music
was played by a group of Hispanic students. The Puerto Rican song “En
Mi Viejo San Juan” song (In My Old San Juan ) and others touched
homesick-hearts and let others enjoy music in Spanish.
Fran Domitrowski said,
“It’s great, the music is excellent! Everyone has to look
into his culture and background.”
As part of the month’s celebration, Mexican wood carvers offered
their art and culture through beautiful Capal wood animals; Fernando Hernandez,
director of Cultural Diversity at AT&T, will speak on “The Latino
Wave is coming– Feel the Heat” on Oct. 14.
The literacy celebration
will take place on Oct. 19 (noon to 1:30) in the Welpe Theatre, where
students and faculty members will read selections from books, poetry and
songs by Spanish-speaking writers (both in English and Spanish). The closing
“Fiesta,” will feature delicious Latin American food and,
of course, Spanish music and dancing on Oct. 29 from 7 to 11:30 p.m. at
the Cafeteria.
All these activities
are free of charge. Everyone is invited, so even if you are part of the
90% of students who doesn’t belong to the Hispanic group you should
come.
The Orgullo Latino
Club was founded in 1993 out of the need of Latino students to have a
place to meet and go beyond just classes, according to Arroyo. She said
these students need a place to promote their culture, to create a fellowship
between Latinos. This covers an extensive group of countries with many
cultural differences but all part of a whole.
During club meetings
with Arroyo and co-adviser Eva Fontanez, students get motivated, discuss
scholarships, make friends and have a great time.
Castañeda,
a Human Services student from Managua said, “I love my club. It’s
so much fun, and to be part of it gives me satisfaction and the courage
to keep on being bold and outgoing. If I hadn’t swallowed my fear
of being with strangers I wouldn’t have been able to recognize how
wonderful this club really is.”
She went on to say,
“I’ve never really associated myself with other Hispanics
before and that always made me a bit sad. I have always wanted to be part
of something so festive and loud and refreshing. As this is my first semester
here, I feel that this club is my stepping stone to a successful future
in whatever I do, with my people right by my side.”
The club has between
12 and 20 members each semester; Spanish and English is spoken in their
meetings, which are Tuesdays at noon in room H-111.
Asked about the club’s
mission, Arroyo’s face lit up and her voice changed with excitement.
“We are more than friends,” she said, “we are like a
family.”
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