By Maria Perez
On September 30th, the Hispanic Heritage event was held at Westshore. The event involved making “Cajitas” (which means little box) that could be used to commemorate ancestors or for other purposes, such as storing jewelry or small objects. The guest artist was Marilyn Oliveras Ortiz, a prominent artist with Puerto Rican roots who is also active in the Cleveland art community. She creates a variety of works, from handicrafts to poetry. One of her most well-known poems, “La Bolita,”is featured in the book Hotel Poem: Poets of Cleveland. At the Westshore event, attendees enjoyed foods inspired by Hispanic culture, including rice, tacos, and different types of salsas. Many students, both Hispanic and non-Hispanic, participated and created with love their own personalized “Cajitas”. The Al Lopez Council was also present in this event, giving out resources to students and awesome Puerto Rican coffee!
In addition to Westshore, Metro Campus also celebrated with a similar event on October 1st. Students took part in activities such as bingo (or lotteria), which helped non speaking students to learn some Spanish words,and painting, so everyone who attended had the opportunity to express their creativity and enjoy thematic food and beverages. Many students painted their national flags or simply created artworks that represented them. Delicious Puerto Rican and Hispanic dishes were also served and enjoyed throughout the event.
Thanks to events like these, campuses such as Westshore and Metro help make Hispanic and Latino culture more visible and celebrated within the Tri-C community. These events provide a space for students who identify with the Hispanic or Latino cultures or come from these cultures to feel included and appreciated, while also allowing others to learn more about and connect with the community.
