Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations

EMMA FIGLEWICZ
PHOTOGRAPHER

BRONWYN MCALINDON
STAFF WRITER

9/30/2024

Over the past weekend, there was a fiesta in celebration of National Hispanic American Heritage Month.   The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team along with the help of the Latinos Unidos organization on campus through their Fiesta Baile event.   

Festivities at Alma College will be taking place in honor of National Hispanic American Heritage Month. Including events such as the Loteria Games, Soup and Substance and of course Fiesta Baile. These events give students the opportunity to appreciate the diversity of cultures that have come to learn on the Alma College campus. 

Students can come to heritage events, feel a sense of belonging, and learn about different cultures and try new things.   

“The best way to learn from someone else, is to listen to their lived experiences, engage within their culture through food, music, and education, and lastly, learn how to be an ally for someone who is different than you.” stated, John Glenn Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion. 

This year was also the first year since the eruption of Covid-19 that students and the community could attend the Fiesta Baile event that occurred on September 22nd.  The event allowed students to appreciate Latin culture in many ways including learning to dance the bachata, Zumba, eat great cultural dishes, painting with artist Omar Cruz and more.  

The goal of these types of celebrations is not just to celebrate culture, about allow for students and community members to feel well represented and at home at Alma college.  It is important to appreciate every culture that is within the school population.   

“Representation matters. When I was at my university, I loved to see my culture involved in the overall activities. It wasn’t the main slice of the pie, but I left that school knowing they tried their hardest to make me feel like I belonged. I’m trying to do the same thing here. No matter who you are, what Spanish speaking country your history is from, I want you to have a slice of the pie at Alma College.” Said, Glenn 

Glenn’s goal seems to be similar by throwing heritage appreciation events where students can learn, feel at home and appreciate everything that Alma has to offer.  Hopefully as years go on these events can continue to keep growing within the Alma campus.  These events make many families around Alma and students feel welcome to explore what Alma has to offer. 

“It really depends on funding. I have some great ideas to upgrade everything we do for our Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, but it will take managing our resources well.” Said, Glenn. 

It will be exciting to see how these events continue to grow and develop as Alma continues to grow.  There are more events to come within Hispanic Heritage Month including Soup and Substance with Samantha Torres which will be an opportunity for students to eat delicious food and talk about their experiences as students. 

All events held by the diversity, equity and inclusion office are free to students and the public, making them a great opportunity to learn about many different cultures throughout the year.