Hispanic Heritage Month at Penn State

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.-- Penn State plans to host numerous events dedicated to celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month starting next week.

Sep. 15 marks the first day of this month that honors the culture and influences of the Hispanic community.

“Having this month dedicated to you and your friends and everyone who is nearest and dear to you. It’s amazing,” Samantha Escobar, a fourth-year double majoring in history and political science and president of Latino Caucus, said.

Student organizations like Latino Caucus and the celebrations hosted throughout this month provide a community for Hispanic students in the predominantly white institution.

"The committee dedicated to organizing events surrounding Hispanic Heritage Month gets funding from different Penn State departments to do so," Escobar said.

There are nine events planned to take place over the next few weeks, the last one in the series on Oct. 17. Some include a Hispanic Heritage Month Cultural Night, Happy Valley Latin Festival and Hispanic Heritage Month Children’s Day.

“I think the Latin night, Latin festival, was my favorite last year,” Emily Sanchez, a second-year majoring in architectural engineering and social media chair of the Colombian Student Association, said.

The Happy Valley Latin Festival features a variety of food vendors and live music performances to celebrate the Hispanic and Latinx community of State College.

“There was music downtown and food stands and just different activities you can do. And you saw a lot of different people there,” Sanchez said.

People from any background can take these events as an opportunity to celebrate and learn about Hispanic culture.

For more information visit: https://sites.psu.edu/hispanicheritagemonth/.

Cassie Baylis is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email ceb6085@psu.edu.