Students Present Hispanic Heritage Month Program

In commemoration of National Hispanic American Heritage Month, Westminster student leaders of Hispanic Or Latinx Affinity (HOLA), guided by faculty advisor Sandy Palala P’19, presented an all-school program and alumni panel discussion about Hispanic culture, community, and identity.

 

After an enthusiastic “Bienvenidos!” and introduction by Ethan Hernandez ’27, HOLA members introduced themselves and the Hispanic and Latino alumni panel. Student moderators included Claudia Cristia Gil ’29 from Spain, Ethan Hernandez ’27, Marti Jaramillo Aman ’27 from Ecuador, Allen Alava ’28, and David Aparicio ’28.

HOLA members offered a moment to recognize Dolores Huerta, the Mexican American civil rights activist and co-founder of the United Farm Workers, who became a powerful voice for the Latino community and inspired generations with her famous words, “Sí, se puede” (“Yes, we can”).

 

Ricardo Vazquez ’16 and Dallis Alvarez ’18 returned to campus to answer questions from students, and professional dancer Alexandra Colon ’13 was featured in a student video interview shown at the beginning of the program. Recalling when she was a Westminster student, Alexandra said, “I tried to take my culture and move it into the Westminster community. It’s important to keep to who I am but make where I am better.”

 

Both Dallis and Ricardo shared valuable life experiences and advice relating to their culture and Latino communities. For Alvarez, the neighborhood where she was raised was extremely important. “I grew up in a predominantly Puerto Rican, Latinx, Black community, so my culture is a big part of my everyday life and who I am. It’s helped me since I was young to form a strong sense of self.” Whenever Ricardo Vazquez ’16 isn’t sure of the next step to take, he relies on the values and examples provided by his family. “My heritage and culture have been a compass that helps guide me through situations when I don't know what to do. It feels good to fall back on what you know.” Ricardo and Dallis also encouraged students to “be open-minded and support each other.”

 

After acknowledging two Latina faculty members, HOLA reminded the audience that Latinos matter, allies matter, and unity matters. Students participated in a community dance on-stage, then HOLA members offered a school-wide invitation to an empanada dinner at Armstrong Dining Hall and encouraged the school community to purchase bracelets to support the victims of the earthquakes in Central and South America.