The Ranger Online

Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: Premiere

Media Credit: File Photo EMS sophomore Thomas Elbel and EMS sophomore Penny Tunnell check out business management freshman Stacy Stewart's 1939 Chevy Master Deluxe 350 Super Charger in 2006.

Media Credit: File Photo Armando Dominguez and Antonio Dominguez, members of Mariachi Azteca 90, belt out their version of "Guantalamera" in the mall during Hispanic Heritage Month in 2004.

Media Credit: File Photo Former student Itza Zentella from Los Inocentes performs in 2006 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin.

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated here so people of all ethnicities can become aware of rich Latino cultures and traditions, said Adolph Lopez III, the director heading the month's festivities.

A committee composed of students, faculty and staff has been planning the festivities since the spring.

The theme headlining this year's observation is "Arts, Cultura, Action."

"We decided on this theme because we wanted to make sure we were portraying a well-rounded experience for everyone: arts, culture, history and political action," Lopez said Sept. 5.

The funding for Hispanic Heritage Month comes from the college budget and the student activity fee that students pay when they register.

Because the committee is composed of various personalities, members made certain that there will be an event for everybody, whether it includes literature, music, film, art or history, he said.

"I hope this month can bring some awareness so that I can share my heritage with others," Lopez said. "Too often we are portrayed as a mere stereotype. We aren't the 'Frito Bandido,' you know? We all need to break out of that and appreciate different cultures since we are moving into such a global age where we all need to get along."

Hispanic Heritage Month is traditionally celebrated from Sept. 15-Oct. 15 to commemorate Mexican Independence Day Sept. 16 and Columbus Day observed Oct. 8 this year.

The kickoff to Hispanic Heritage month will be from 11 a.m.-noon Monday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center.

Throughout the month, there will be a spectrum of free events from musical acts, inspirational speakers, an Antojitos Festival that showcases lowrider cars and the artists that take pride in them.

The Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, student financial services and the department of English will also host a Hispanic Heritage Month Essay contest.

Scholarships of $500, $300 and $200 will be awarded to three winners.

Students who are eligible to compete must be enrolled in at least six hours and have a minimum 2.0 grade-point average.

Competitors must discuss and explain their viewpoints on whether the time has come for a minority or female president in the upcoming presidential election and whether the potential candidate should stress or downplay their ethnicity.

Only one hopeful, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, is Hispanic.

The essay must be 750-800 words long and written in MLA format.

For more information, contact English Professors Liz Ann Baez Aguilar at 733-2519, Patricia Portales at 733-2519 or Mariano Aguilar Jr. at 733-2516.

Lopez hopes "students and faculty will participate in the activities and educate themselves on great Latino cultures while having fun at the same time."

"We worked very hard to make this year's Hispanic Heritage month a well-rounded, educational experience for everybody."

UPCOMING

Monday
Celebration: Kickoff and welcome by Dr. Kristine Clark and
talk "Latino Leadership, Culture and Intellect" by Andy Hernandez at 11 a.m.-noon in the Fiesta Room of Loftin.

Dance: A youth folklorico group from Mexico will perform from noon-1:20 p.m. in the mall.


Tuesday
Music: "Tejano/Conjunto:
Barrio Music, Global Identity" with Juan Tejeda at 10:50 a.m. in Room 120 of visual arts.

Wednesday
Event: Latino Fashion Show from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin.

Sept. 21
Music: Accordian/punk band Pinata Protest from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin.
Sept. 24
Dance: Travis Elementary Folk
loric Dancers from noon-1 p.m. in the mall.

Sept. 25
Film: "Walkout," directed by Edward James Olmos, at 12:15 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin.

Event: Batanga Tour featuring free giveaways from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the mall.


Sept. 26
Music: "Los Innocentes"from 9
a.m.-10 a.m. in Room 120 of visual arts.

Lecture: Gilbert Hinojosa from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. in Room 120 of visual arts.

Festival: Antojitos Festival featuring Lowriders from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. in the mall.

Sept. 28
Event: Sexto Sol and Chicano Art Exhibit by Juan Miguel
Ramos from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin.

Oct. 2
Lecture: Dr. Jose Angel Gutier-
rez from 9:25 a.m.-10:40 a.m. 12:15 p.m .-1:30 p.m. in Room 120 of visual arts.

Oct. 3
Event: Latino talent show tryouts from 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin.

Oct. 4
Dance: Salsa Rhythms from noon-1:30 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin.

Oct. 12
Event: Essay presentation from
noon-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin.

Music: Mariachi performance at noon in the Fiesta Room of Loftin.

Oct. 17
Performance: Latino Talent Show from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin.

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