Illinois State University’s Spanish Club brought the campus and local community together in a celebration of culture, community, and civic leadership during its annual Fiesta Latina, a beloved tradition since 2016. This year’s event marked a historic moment for the club, as it presented the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) for the very first time—honoring exceptional student and faculty dedication to service at the national level. Thanks to Fiesta Latina–as well as an exciting cultural immersion trip to Cartagena, Colombia over spring break—Spanish Club was designated RSO of the Month in April, 2025.
Open to the public, Fiesta Latina 2025 featured live music, Latin dancing, and a dinner of Latin American–inspired dishes prepared by Redbird Catering. The event offered a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere where students, families, and local residents came together to celebrate Latin American culture and the spirit of volunteerism.
In a special highlight of the evening, Illinois State University President Aondover Tarhule was present to personally present the President’s Volunteer Service Awards, lending university-wide recognition to the honorees’ extraordinary efforts. This year, the Spanish Club earned certification to present the PVSA, a national honor created in 2003 by the White House Council on Service and Civic Participation. The award recognizes individuals and groups who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to community service, and recipients receive a medal and official certificate signed by the President of the United States of America.
Five Spanish Club members were honored this year for their service:
Young Adult Category
- Xochitl Martinez, Secretary, received the Bronze Award for 100 hours of volunteer service.
- Monica Nuñez and Melyssa Aragon, the club’s Public Relations and Media team, each earned the Silver Award for completing 180 hours.
- Elisa Cruz, President of the Spanish Club, received the Gold Award for 300 hours of service through the Happy World Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes global citizenship and cultural exchange in partnership with the United Nations.
Lifetime Achievement Category
- Elisa Cruz was additionally recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award for completing more than 4,000 hours of service. She is the founder of Arpa, a nonprofit in Honduras supporting underserved communities, and has volunteered extensively abroad and locally, including at Blair House, PATH, and Collaborative Solutions Institute.
- Dr. Marinelly Castillo, Faculty Advisor to the Spanish Club, received a Lifetime Achievement Award for her lifelong dedication to her students, the club, and the Venezuelan community. Through her nonprofit A Heart for Venezuela, she supports newly arrived migrants in Bloomington-Normal by fundraising through home-cooked meals and community outreach.
In addition to these national awards, the Spanish Club presented its own Alma Latina Award, which recognizes members who show extraordinary dedication to promoting and celebrating Latino cultures. This award honors those who lead not just through hours of service, but through cultural pride, creativity, and a deep commitment to community building. This year’s Alma Latina awards went to sophomore Bilingual Education major Evelyn Guadalupe Aguilar and senior Spanish major and Psychology minor Lucas Hobbes.
Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees. Your leadership and passion are shaping a better, more connected world—right here at ISU.
