Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15. It’s a way to celebrate the Hispanic and Latino communities and their achievements. The dates coincide with the independence days of many Latin American countries and other significant events.
Here at College of the Sequoias, we will begin our recognitions with the Puente Club. Puente came to be in 1995 by Teresa Guadiana and Joni Jordan. Puente’s main goal is to help students that are from underrepresented backgrounds transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Puente members become a family mostly because they are amalgamated in several classes together which makes it easier for students to become friends.
Puente Club’s Vice-President Alexx Frausto is a second year COS student, second semester Puente member, and is majoring in Communicative Disorders. Frausto states that Puente Club is established among many different colleges and universities. Puente was out at club rush last week recruiting students in hopes of increasing their numbers this semester. Frausto wants students to know that they are more than welcome to stop by for a meeting and bring a friend. Meetings are held every other Thursday at the Tule building room 569 at 12pm. Everyone is welcome.
When asked about someone that he looks up to when he thinks about Hispanic Representation, Frausto replied, “people like Kali Uchis, Peso Pluma, and Bad Bunny.” There are many people that can be celebrated and one of the things Frausto enjoys is the fact that they get to celebrate someone local who has left their mark on this campus for the Hispanic and Latino Communities.
One of the things Puente does to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month is to celebrate the life of its founder Teresa Guadiana. Guadiana, a 21-year COS Puente Counselor, passed away in 2016. It is important to remember those who paved the way for the rest of us to get here. During Dia De Los Muertos, Puente creates an altar where they put pictures of loved ones who have passed. Traditionally, you also can place food and beverages that your loved ones used to enjoy.
Some of the ways you can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month is to support local Latino-owned businesses and stores, dance to Hispanic music, visit museums and cultural institutions, and maybe host a potluck where everyone brings a different Latin dish.
