For 30 days in September and October, students celebrate Latino Heritage Month to promote and cherish Latino cultures on campus.

The word Latino is often associated with a person who is descended from people in South America, Central America or Mexico. However, to the Latino people, it can mean much more.

“Latino to me is uplifting, powerful and I have so much pride and love for it,” said Brian Castro, senior in nutritional science, of Mexican ancestry and former member of the Latino Heritage Committee. “It is part of my identity.”

Latino students are the largest ethnic group on campus, said Adele Lozano, adviser for the Latino Heritage Committee.

“Latinos have grown up learning about different cultures,” said Sandy Velasquez, president of the Latino Heritage Committee. “My culture is Mexican, but I wouldn’t have all the same customs as [someone from another Latino country]. So it’s diverse.”

Latino culture is not just one culture, it is a combination of the customs of all the Latino countries.

“People have a misconception that Latinos are from the same place, but we all come from different countries and we all have different customs,” Velasquez said. “[Latino Heritage Month] is about sharing our cultures and getting people involved.”

The four celebrations are spread out over the month and include the “Marcha de las Banderas,” which was the opening celebration on Sept. 16, and a lecture by digital artist and cultural organizer Favianna Rodriguez.

Rodriguez will discuss immigration and equality on Tuesday, Sept. 24. The artist is known for her vibrant posters dealing with issues such as war, immigration, globalization and social movements.

The committee’s other two main events are in October. One is “Top Chef Latino,” a big hit during the last Latino Heritage Month, Velasquez said. Students compete in cooking Latino-inspired dishes. Students do not have to be Latino or Latina in order to compete; everyone is welcome to get involved. 

“Noche de Cultura,” or Culture Night, is the month’s closing event. It is a celebration in the Great Hall with performers, dancers, food, games, arts and crafts set up by different student organizations to display the diversity of Latino cultures.

“This is a way to celebrate everybody’s different culture and just have a really fun night,” Velasquez said.

Velasquez said she is pleased that a lot more student organizations are hosting events within the Latino Heritage Month this year.

The Student Union Board has set up a Latin American Film Festival, and the student dance organization “Descarga” sets up salsa dance lessons.

“Awareness is going to grow,” Lozano said. “The number of Latino undergraduates has risen quite a bit every year and there are more Latino student organizations. [But] there is still work to do.”

Castro has a similar view on the situation.

“It is nice to know that [the Latino Heritage Month opens people up so they] can see the beautiful cultures,” Castro said. “But I can’t help question what about the other eleven months? Am I only acknowledged as a Latino for one month?”

Lozano agrees.

“Ideally it shouldn’t be a month,” she said. “We should [be] recognizing and celebrating all different cultures throughout the year.”