Hispanic heritage month begins Tuesday

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Get ready to move your body, taste new foods and discover something more about Hispanic cultures during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hispanic Heritage Month starts Tuesday and runs through Oct. 15.

This month’s activities include dancing to Zumba, a Latin form of exercise, movie and discussion and food tasting, along with many other activities.

Sigma Lambda Gamma President Carolyn Messina said this month is about coming together and celebrating Hispanic cultures.

“This is a time where people of all Hispanic cultures can embrace their culture, and people of other cultures can get to know more,” the Rochester senior said. “And (there are) educational programs available for people to learn more.”

Lawn celebration

Hispanic Heritage Month starts with the free kick-off celebration at 11 a.m. Tuesday on the Bovee University Center front lawn.

There, students can receive pamphlets and more information on the month’s activities.

Minority Student Services Interim Assistant Director Lester Booker said Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated nationally to highlight the contributions of Hispanic Americans and
their involvement to the United States.

“Additionally, this month is used to educate individuals on the struggles and adversity that people of Hispanic/Latino descent experience,” Booker said.

He said students should attend this event to gain some knowledge, have some fun and meet new people.

Popular events

Alumna president of Sigma Lambda Gamma and Cassandra Rosas said last year’s turnout to events was really well, especially with the Latin exercise Zumba.

“There were a lot of people who showed up to participate and it was really nice to see the support, and see people participate in the Latin culture,” said Rosas, currently a graduate student at Penn State University.

This year, Rosas said, students should expect to experience different aspects of a culture to receive a well-rounded education of Hispanic Heritage Month.

“Students should expect to have fun while being educated. And we are trying to appeal to everybody so we can hit people’s different interests to make them want to learn more about a different culture other than their own,” Rosas said.