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Opening ceremony heralds Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month kicked off with an opening ceremony in the Garrett Cultural Center Wednesday. The month is meant to celebrate and highlight Hispanic culture and will include a variety of events hosted by the Association of Latin American Students and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

The ceremony opened with a speech by education professor Rios Vegas about the history of Hispanic Heritage Month.

“Although Hispanic persons have been in the U.S. the second longest after Native Americans, it was not until 1968 that President Lyndon B. Johnson decided to observe Hispanic Heritage week,” Vega said. “Later in 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded the celebration to a 30-day period, starting on Sept. 15 and ending on October 15.”

Vega explained that the Hispanic population of the United States, much like the Hispanic student population at Bradley, is ever growing, but emphasized that shifting demographics was not enough to bring real social change.

“It does not matter how many of us are in this country, ” Vega said. “Unless we get education, we are still invisible. Not only that, but people from different generations need to work together. This way we can preserve our history and maintain the integrity of those who came before us. Otherwise, young people may compromise and lose their cultures.”

After Vega’s speech, Ileana Ruiz , a student engagement intern for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, detailed the theme for this year’s heritage month: Latino and Latina Leaders at the Hilltop.

“When planning this month out and thinking about the theme, I was inspired by my internship with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation,” Ruiz, a senior political science and Spanish double major, said. “My boss said to me, ‘Never believe anyone that says your generation is filled with leaders of tomorrow. Your generation is filled with leaders of today, so go conquer the world.’ This is a message I wanted to pass on to the Bradley campus.”

Ruiz then outlined some of the events planned for the month. Geisert and Williams will be serving traditionally Hispanic meals Oct.19 and 23. There will be a screening of the film “La Misma Luna” at Neumiller Hall Sept. 21. There will also be a Latina and Latino faculty connection Sept. 30.

“I’m particularly excited for the faculty and staff connection because it’s a real opportunity to build a relationship between generations,” Ruiz said.

The opening ceremony concluded with a performance by Salsa Club and a raffle, leaving those in attendance excited for the upcoming month of activities.

“I’m pretty pumped up for this month,” sophomore undecided major Abigail Fuentes said. “Sometimes on campus, my friends and I have been judged harshly for being Hispanic with people asking us what we’re doing here, so it’s great that we have this month to show off and be proud.”

Hispanic Heritage Month will conclude Oct. 5 with a closing ceremony at the Garrett Cultural Center.

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