Jordan Alcasas
News Editor
Students at the University of La Verne celebrated the arrival of Hispanic Heritage Month this week with Spanish music and food at the Leos Para El Mundo event hosted by the Campus Activities Board. The event took place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday at Citrus Lawn with an attendance of about 70 to 80 people.
The event sought to highlight the fact that the University is a Hispanic Serving Institution by honoring its Hispanic students. CAB served free food including agua frescas, pupusas and tortas at different booths for students to sit down and enjoy at the tables placed along Citrus Lawn.
One of the common sentiments among students was a lot of gratitude that CAB was honoring Hispanic and Latino students.
“I don’t see that changing anytime soon, since we’re an HSI,” Lindsey Mendoza Alvarez, a junior legal studies major said. “I’m glad we have a lot of clubs on campus, like the Latino Student Forum and CAB, and I really enjoy that whenever we do have events celebrating Hispanic students, we venture out and try to partner with local businesses to help them out too.”
Additionally, students found the food to be a great draw towards the event for them, as the University is an HSI, meaning most grew up with the kind of food served at the event.
“I heard that there was going to be Hispanic food presented, and even though it is so prevalent in my life, it is so great to celebrate different cultures and have that at events like these,” Sharon Lance, a junior criminology major said. “It’s nice to have more community and spend time with other people, especially since I’m a commuter, and don’t have as many opportunities to do these things.”
The feeling of community was prevalent with a lot of the students that attended, but additionally, it allowed them to reflect on the value of their cultures.
“Absolutely, I think they provide a safe space for Latinos,” Travis Naranjo, a freshman sociology major said. “Especially because of the heritage and all that we do share with each other. Events like these bring out that culture within us.”
Students also enjoyed the mariachi band that played live music for them at the event. The band took requests from students on what to play, with students requesting dance music during the event.
“One thing that I was really excited about was the live music,” Kimberly Carlos, a freshman business administration major said. “We get to bring a part of us as Hispanics here, so it brings everyone as who they really are together, united.
CAB members checked people in with yellow wristbands and had them show the wristbands when they got food and drinks.
Sergio Sandoval, a junior computer science major and one of the multicultural chairs for CAB also explained the inspiration behind the event beyond Hispanic Heritage Month starting.
“So, it’s going to be Hispanic Heritage Month,” Sandoval said. “It is September 15th, independence day for a lot of Latin American countries. We want to celebrate that important day specifically. It’s an event for everyone but it’s based on Hispanic Heritage Month because that is the theme.”
Jordan Alcasas can be reached at jordan.alcasas@laverne.edu.
Jordan Alcasas is a sophomore journalism major with a concentration in print and online journalism. He is the news editor for the Campus Times, and previously served as social media editor and a staff writer.
Joseph Nocero is a senior photography major at the University of La Verne and a staff photographer for the Campus Times and photography editor for La Verne Magazine. His work can also be found at Joseph Nocero Photography.
