Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated nationwide from September 15 – October 15 every year honoring the influences Hispanic culture has had on society. As of 2023, about 64 million people in the United States identify of Hispanic descent, which is 19.5% of the nation's total population (Census Bureau 2023). At the University of Miami, 24% of the undergraduate student population is of Hispanic descent, making it the largest minority group at the University. With that in mind, there is no wonder that Hispanic Heritage Month is one of the biggest celebrations put on by the student body.
ALAS represents the diversity in Latin American cultures at UM and creating a space for Hispanic students to come together. Every year, the Hispanic Heritage Month committee and ALAS pick a theme to highlight the month. This year the theme is, “Racíes Unidas” which means Races United, in English. The theme encapsulates the diversifying traditions within Latin and Hispanic cultures. Daniela Dechard, one of the co-presidents of ALAS and the Hispanic Heritage Month committee is excited to show her love for her culture and identity and share it with the community. “My parents are both immigrants, my father is from Cuba, and my mother is from Peru. They have raised me under traditional Hispanic culture and moving to Miami at a young age also further developed my Hispanic identity and personality traits. I wanted to serve on the HHM committee to combine my personal life with my professional life. Certainly, it takes a lot to coordinate a month’s worth of campus wide events, but when you are celebrating your family, culture, and identity—it makes it all so much easier,” says Dechard.
So far this month, ALAS has planned a variety of events that both educate the community on Hispanic influences and traditions, but also celebrate their culture. Their opening ceremonies, hosted in collaboration with Multicultural Student Affairs, took place on Tuesday September 17. The event included food, music, and a wide array of diverse cultural roots. “Planning efforts started early into the summer with weekly meetings with the ALAS Executive Board and bi-weekly meetings with our amazing advisors, Madison Rodas and Victor Rios. We secured collaborations with other student organizations in which they led a cultural activity or brought food from their culture to highlight and teach about the diversity of Latin/Hispanic heritage,” says Krista Vargas, co-president of ALAS and Chair of Hispanic Heritage Month. They also hosted a game night, in collaboration with Association of Commuter Students (ACS) and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). During the event a video, made by ALAS PR chair Sophia Karampelas, showcased ALAS’ mission as a student organization and the culture they want to curate around campus. “Our main goal is to reach and impact students from all ethnic backgrounds. We aim to not only create a space where Latin and Hispanic- identifying students can embrace/celebrate their native roots, but also a space where non-Latin students can gain cultural immersion,” Vargas adds.
Students participate in a Latin American themed cooking night Friday, October 4.
If you haven’t had the chance to join in on any of the fun Hispanic Heritage Month has brought to campus, there are still a few more events left. ALAS and the Hispanic Heritage Month committee have been planning a closing ceremony entitled “Noche de Gala.” This is their biggest event of the month featuring traditions across all Hispanic and Latin communities. "Noche de Gala" will also feature ethnic performers and traditional cuisine for all to enjoy. The event will take place on Friday, October 18 from 7-10 p.m. in the Shalala Activities Room—all are welcome to attend. To learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month, Alliance of Latin American Students, and other celebrations remaining, visit their engage page here.
