In recognition of Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month, Latin American Student Opportunities (LASO), an extended branch of Mosaic, will be hosting several events during the month of October in celebration of Latin American and Hispanic culture.
LASO recently hosted a Hispanic Heritage Talk that emphasized the value of education from a Hispanic perspective. Starting on Wednesday of Oct. 19, Noe Garcia, senior pastor of North Phoenix Baptist Church, and guest singer, Angel Lagunes, will lead the Union community during chapel for the next three consecutive days as part of the cultural celebration. The services will include traditional Spanish music.
“It is good and right for us to celebrate things like Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month because, in so doing, we are affirming God’s wonderful creativity in His design of us as unique people, while simultaneously encouraging our fellow brothers and sisters,” said Matthew Marshall, Director for Service and Diversity Initiatives of University Ministries and the Center for Racial Reconciliation.
LASO will also be hosting their annual pastry sale outside the Brewer Dining Hall on Wednesday the 19th from 11a.m.-2 p.m. while giving students the opportunity to talk with Garcia during LASO’s cookout the following Thursday at 5 p.m. on the patio outside the Bowld Commons.
“It’s important for students to recognize the value of different cultures, because it allows for us to show a sense of respect for the way others indulge and celebrate their own traditions and beliefs,” Mosaic Historian, Jonquil Lindsey said.
To wrap up the month, students are invited to attend LASO’s movie night that will be held on Oct. 21 in the Language Lab at 7 p.m.
Though the Union community will have multiple opportunities during the month to learn about the Latin American and Hispanic culture, Todosita Torres, sophomore marketing major and LASO’s president, hopes that students will continually embrace cultural unity throughout their college career even after these events.
“I honestly hope…the Union community will be engaged and excited about learning different cultural traditions as well as values from a Hispanic perspective,” said Torres. “Having students recognize the value of culture…can make them understand how all of us are different and how [we are] able to come into unity as one community here at Union.”
For more information about LASO and these events, students can contact Todosita Torres at todosita.torres@my.uu.edu.
