From food to music, dance and history all facets of Hispanic culture were on full display at Emporia State University Thursday evening.
The university’s Diversity Student Programs Department and Hispanic American Latino Organization (HALO) teamed up to celebrate the local Hispanic community as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. The festival was held inside the ESU student recreation center and provided information, displays and education on all Hispanic cultures from around the world and the local community.
Patricia Reyes of HALO says many do not realize how large of a “melting pot” the city of Emporia is when it comes to Hispanic culture. She says she is very grateful for the opportunity to hold an event such as Thursday’s which she believes promotes pride amongst Latin X residents.
Director of Diversity Student Programs at ESU Teresa Taylor Williams believes Thursday’s celebration is a sign of how diversity, and recognition of said diversity, is a major ideal woven into the identity of the university.
In addition to HALO and Diversity Student Programs, other local organizations took part in the day’s festivities including Emporia High School’s Latinos Unidos, ESU’s Kappa Delta Chi sorority, the Emporia Public Library, Beacon For Hope Suicide Prevention, Flint Hills Technical College, Flint Hills Community Health Center and more.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated nationally every year between September and October. Hispanic Heritage month concludes next Friday, Oct. 15.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
