SMU kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with a “Viva America” celebration, featuring music, food, dancing and live performances in the Hughes-Trigg Varsity, on Friday.
“Viva America is simply a big party. Or a fiesta if you will,” Amanda Arismendy, involved with Viva America, said. “We can celebrate all that Latino culture entails.”
The Hispanic Heritage Month celebration began in in 1988 and is still celebrated all over the United States to recognize Hispanic culture. It begins on September 15 and is celebrated until October 15.
“What is truly awesome about Hispanic culture is that in itself, it is so diverse,” Arismendy said. “Hispanic” includes any person/descendant of a person born in a Spanish-speaking country; these people can be Spanish, Cuban, Mexican, Dominican, Nicaraguan, El Salvadorian…you name it.”
Viva America was originally supposed to be held at the flagpole from 7-11, but due to weather conditions, it was moved inside.
“We didn’t have as big of a turn out as we wanted,” Ingrid Mendoza, president of College Hispanic American Students (CHAS), said. “Last night was the big celebration, but I would like to promote upcoming events so we can have a variety of students and see new faces.”
There will be a guest speaker on campus during family weekend, weekend of October 4, but main upcoming event Mendoza wants to promote is on October 16 at SMU. Belita Moreno, better known as “Benny” on ABC’s sitcom George Lopez, will be guest speaking. Moreno is an SMU alumna along with her mother, who was the second Hispanic student at SMU.
“Moreno graduated from Meadows School of the Arts, so we would like to get the word out to the students in Meadows,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza would like all students to know everyone is welcome to come and they would love to have a big crowd to hear Moreno’s incredible Hispanic heritage and roots.
“I cannot wait to listen to “Benny” speak,” Erin VonderHaar, SMU senior Meadows student, said. “Growing up I watched George Lopez. It is so cool to think that someone who graduated from the department I will be graduating from in May has truly lived the dream.”
Be sure to keep up with upcoming events during Hispanic Heritage Month and look for “Betty” walking up and down the Boulevard.
