GREENSBORO, N.C. — Tuesday marked the official start of Hispanic Heritage Month. It’s observed each year from September 15 to October 15.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is really for everybody,” said Augusto Pena, the director of the Office of Intercultural Engagement at UNC Greensboro.
Pena’s department is working with dozens of students to put together nearly 20 events in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month over the coming weeks.
“Some students have classmates or have neighbors who are Hispanic, and so this is a chance for them to celebrate with their neighbors,” Pena said. “Other students have parents who immigrated to the United States from Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic and so this is about celebrating their American pride as well as their cultural roots.”
Pena says the university has held campus-wide celebrations for about 10 years. It’s an opportunity students say helps them feel represented.
“When you have someone that’s willing to celebrate it and willing to showcase that, it really makes you feel seen and you know that somebody is out there rooting for you and really wanting to learn more about you,” UNCG student Rina Sauceda-Concha said.
Oscar Aleman-Gallegos is the president of the Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity on campus. He says his favorite Hispanic Heritage Month event is the Fiesta at the Fountain, which kicks off campus festivities.
“Being able to see the entire student body, not just the Hispanic population, but everybody come out, have everybody dancing, everybody having some good food and then seeing the performances from other organizations is always really nice to see,” UNCG student Oscar Aleman-Gallegos said.
Organizers say events are free and open to anyone who would like to attend.
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