Last Thursday, I had the honor of attending the Latin America Dinner, hosted by the Hispano-Latino Alliance (HLA). It is one of a few culture themed dinners hosted by clubs on campus every year, but it is the first one I have been able to attend.
I am so glad I went and will now do my best to attend every one of these dinners.
Although I don’t speak any Spanish, which means I didn’t understand some of what was said, sung, and acted out, it was a wonderful experience to try new foods from various hispanic countries–it tasted fantastic,–see the students from hispanic cultures and with an interest in those cultures show their pride, and get a glimpse of the diversity of campus that isn’t as obvious during classes.
This year’s theme for the dinner was Nuestra Historia, or “Our Story.” That meant the entertainment, decorations, and discussions all branched from the students of HLA expressing what their cultures mean to them. For some people it was dancing or music, for others it was quinceaneras or fashion, and for some of them it was crazy mothers that love a fiesta.
No matter the things they associated with their cultures, they all greatly enjoyed sharing that love with others, and we all greatly enjoyed being the people they shared it with.
HLA members are a wonderful group of students and I’m glad their dinner came together successfully. I’m looking forward to seeing what they’ll come up with next year.
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