Two weeks ago UW-Eau Claire’s Latinx Student Association kicked off Latinx Heritage month with its first event, a meet and greet and open house.

On Sept. 15, the Latinx Cultural Center held their open house for students, staff and community members to get to know one another and become familiar with the cultural center.

Sept. 15 was also the first official day of Latinx Heritage month, marking the national Day of Independence from Spain for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, with Mexico and Chile celebrating their independence on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18. 

According to fourth-year kinesiology student and LSA president, Joanelle Sanchez Guevara, and fourth-year kinesiology student and LSA vice president, Vanessa Montenegro, Latinx Heritage Month holds great significance for themselves and many others.  

Montenegro said that Latinx Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the diversity within Latinx culture, traditions, countries and people.

“Latinx Heritage Month is a time to celebrate my culture and family history, as well as all the accomplishments that Latinx people have made in both this country and Latin American countries.” Montenegro said.

On Sept. 20, LSA hosted their second Latinx Heritage month event, Bienvenidos Fiesta, which included LSA’s first general meeting of the school year, a potluck and music. 

Latinx Heritage month will continue until Oct. 15. Throughout the rest of the month, LSA will be hosting two more events, as well as a fundraiser following the end of the Heritage month. 

On Sept. 27, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Latinx Cultural Center, Hibbard room 801, LSA will be hosting their event, Noche de Lotería, where you can indulge in a game called Lotería, also commonly referred to as Mexican Bingo. 

Also taking place in the Latinx Cultural Center, on Oct. 4, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., LSA will be having their final Latinx Heritage Month event, Noche de Película, where participants will be watching Bajo la Misma Luna and eating chicharrones and popcorn. 

During Noche de Película, LSA will also announce the winners of their Hispanic Heritage month giveaway.

In order to win any of the three prizes, participants must attend an event, share/post the events, or join LSA on Blugold Connect+. The more you do, the more your name is added for a chance to win a prize.

All events require an RSVP on Blugold Connect+, by either going straight to Blugold Connect+ or scanning the QR code found on any of the event posters. 

LSA will also be having their Día de los Muertos Fundraiser on Nov. 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Davies Center, selling horchata, pepino con limón, elotes and chocoflan. 

According to Guevara, students and the general public should attend the heritage month events because it is a great way to celebrate the contributions of Latinx identities.

“The public can learn the different films, arts and music associated with this very special month,” Guevara said. 

Jackson can be reached at [email protected].