Zesty Latino-inspired appetizers, gold decor and salsa dancers took over the Sun Room of the Memorial Union as Noche de Cultura was celebrated as the final event of Latino Heritage Month. 

Noche de Cultura, which took place Oct. 24, is the largest event the Latino Heritage Committee hosts. It started at Iowa State in 2012. It is one of the multiple events incorporated into celebrating Latino Heritage Month.

Latino Heritage Month is nationally recognized from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The Latino Heritage Committee promotes cultural awareness within Iowa State and the Ames community. The committee tries to help instill a level of political, social, cultural and ethnic awareness.

There were a variety of entertainment events that were featured. John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas spoke to the audience about a Latino’s life in Iowa, Los Amigos and Ricardo Corona sang, Latinas danced to several traditional dances and a flag ceremony took place.

The tables were also lined with multiple flavors of ethnic appetizers inspired by Ecuador, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

“Celebrating Latino Heritage Month is important because of the positive representation of the Latino culture to everyone,” said Victor Aguilar-Lopez, president of the Latino Heritage Committee. “I believe it is important as it upholds our ideals and teaches our culture to everyone to be aware [of] and ultimately aid in the understanding of the Latino community.”

Students also participated in Top Chef Latino, sponsored by the Multicultural Student Advisory Council and the Latino Heritage Committee. Students competed against each other to prepare dishes from their home countries. 

The winners were announced during the event, and the dishes were presented during Noche de Cultura.

“It’s important to recognize our heritage because it’s easy to forget where you came from if you don’t keep your heritage alive,” said Rolando Montealegre, senior in chemistry.

Months of planning went into Noche de Cultura. Since Noche de Cultura is one of the biggest events the Latino Heritage Committee hosts, there was a separate committee that focused on just this event throughout the semester.

They began planning and coming up with events in the spring prior to Latino Heritage Month. They coordinated Noche de Cultura with other events for Latino Heritage Month at the same time. For the event Noche de Cultura, the planning required contacting performers, fundraising to pay for performers and having weekly meetings.

This event was open to all Iowa State students.

“It’s important to preserve our culture because it shows people who we are, where we come from, and what we can accomplish,” said Ricardo Corona, junior in civil engineering and event planner for the event.

This event was created to create cultural awareness on campus and bring all Latinos on ISU campus under one roof to be proud of their culture.

“Since we are a minority here it gives us a chance to meet other Latinos and bring us all together,” said Jonathan Avalos, senior in business economics. Avalos was a volunteer this year. 

They promoted their event through social media and ads throughout campus.

“This event is important to bring to [Iowa State] because I believe it can be something that bonds all Latino cultures, no matter how different they are, into one whole community,” Aguilar-Lopez said. “[This] also forms a bond of understanding between the Latino community and all other communities.”