CSU will commemorate National Hispanic Heritage Month with a variety of on-campus and community-wide events Sept. 15-Oct. 15.
“National Hispanic Heritage Month is a reminder that we need to acknowledge the contributions of Latinos every day, to celebrate the lives and generations before us,” said Guadalupe Salazar, director of El Centro. El Centro is the on-campus department that advocates and supports the Hispanic and Latino students at CSU and in the Poudre School District.
The Hispanic population is the largest minority at CSU, with 2,401 students enrolled during the 2013-2014 academic year, according to the CSU Fact Book. That is more than 50 percent of the minority student population.
According to the official National Hispanic Heritage month website, the term ‘Hispanic’ refers to individuals of Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race, meaning that those of Hispanic heritage can come from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Mexico, Spain and countries in Central and South America such as Chile and Argentina.
All events over the course of the month are free for students, faculty, staff and community members. Many events also are geared toward families and children.
Activities for the month-long celebration:
September
Becoming Culturally Responsive Educators: What Does it Take?
4:30-6 p.m. Sept. 18, Lory Student Center Theatre at CSU
In this presentation, nationally acclaimed author and educator Sonia Nieto will discuss her latest book, Finding Joy in Teaching Students of Diverse Backgrounds: Culturally Responsive and Socially Just Practices in U.S. Classrooms. Based on interviews with teachers around the nation, the book explores the values, beliefs and practices of teachers who are successful with students of diverse backgrounds with implications for teachers, schools and the preparation of teachers.
Live in Color: National Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off
Noon-3 p.m. Sept. 20, Lee Martinez Park
Kick off the month by celebrating the rich Latino culture through history, education, music, art and honoring veterans. Refreshment will be served.
Movie Night: La Bamba
7-9 p.m. Sept. 20, Community Room 1, Old Town Library
Lou Diamond Phillips plays legendary 1950s rocker Ritchie Valens (born Ricardo Valenzuela), in this musical biography.
Salsa Night @ Your Library
6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 22, Community Room Combo, Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St.
Stop in for an evening of dancing, music and fun to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with this traditional dance form. No partner required, but comfortable shoes and a water bottle are encouraged.
Latina(o)/Latin American Studies Scholars: A Colloquium Featuring CSU Researchers
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sept. 22 and Oct. 8 and noon-2 p.m. Oct. 2 and 14, Event Hall, Morgan Library on CSU Campus
Bring a brown bag lunch and listen to many of CSU’s scholars on campus who are researching topics in Latina(o)/Latin American studies. Coffee and tea will be provided.
Interactive History Exhibit: Alvarez vs. the Lemon Grove School Board
1-6 p.m. Sept. 25, Longs Peak Student Center, Front Range Community College
Come learn about the first successful court case that ended the legal segregation of Mexican American students – in the 1930s. This exhibit also explores questions about segregation in Fort Collins and Colorado.
Hispanic Heritage Arts and Crafts
10:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 27, Community Room C, Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave.
Stop by to participate in a variety of arts and crafts that celebrate Hispanic heritage. This event is free and open to all ages.
October
Chili Festival/Block party
noon-3 p.m. Oct. 4, Romero Park, next to the Museo de las Tres Colonias at 425 10th St.. Parking will be at the Streets Facilities on 625 Lemay. A shuttle will be provided.
The Chili Festival honors the harvest of the chiles and other fruits and vegetables that workers pick. The event is an afternoon of food and entertainment and serves as an introduction to Hispanic cultural events, history and traditions. The event is free, but donations for the food are appreciated.
TransVisible: Bamby Salcedo’s Story
6-8 p.m. Oct. 6, Ballroom 350 A, Lory Student Center at CSU
Stop by CSU Oct. 6, to watch the screening of a documentary of the life of Trans Latina activist and leader, Bamby Salcedo. Salcedo is an advocate and role model for multiple communities, including the Trans, Latina, immigrant, youth and LGBT communities. Screening is followed by a Q&A with Salcedo and the director of the film, Dante Alencastre.
Poetry Slam featuring Jessica Lopez
11 a.m. at Front Range Community College, 4-6 p.m. at CSU, Oct. 15
Jessica Helen Lopez, a City of Albuquerque Poet Laureate, is a nationally recognized award-winning slam poet, and holds the title of 2012 and 2014 Women of the World City of Albuquerque Champion.
Honoring Language and Culture from las Américas
noon-1 p.m. Oct. 15, Johannsen Support Services Center (JSSC) Board Room, 2407 W. Laporte Ave., Fort Collins
Come learn about the goals, experiences and outcomes of Poudre School District’s 2014 Spanish Language and Cultural Immersion Program, which was held for two weeks in Guatemala.
Event sponsors include: El Centro, Campus Activities, CSU Libraries, Educational Opportunity Center, CASA, Front Range Community College, Ram Events, Museo de las Tres Colonias, Lory Student Center, Poudre School District, The Elks Lodge #804, VFW Lodge # 187, Parents Fund, Poudre River Public Library District, Vice President for Diversity, American Legion, United States Marine Corps and the Multicultural Greek Council.
