Baylor To Observe Hispanic Heritage Month

by Amanda Lewis, Student Newswriter

October signifies Baylor University's celebration of Latino culture and contributions with special activities on campus during the 15th annual Hispanic Heritage Month, sponsored by the Hispanic Student Association (HSA).
Baylor's Hispanic Heritage Month will kick off with a multicultural festival at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, in Barfield Drawing Room in the Bill Daniel Student Center. Student organizations will present the culture, dress and customs of numerous Latin American countries.
The annual Hispanic Heritage banquet will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, in the Cashion Academic Center in the Hankamer School of Business. The featured speaker will be Evangelina Vigil-Piñón, host and producer of KTRK-TV's "Community Close Up: Viva Houston," singer-songwriter for Latin and Brazilian jazz trio Tranquility Base, and an accomplished poet. The cost for the banquet is $6 for HSA members and $12 for non-members. Tickets are on sale through Oct. 3 in the office of student activities.
Other scheduled events include a Latin unity party on Oct. 11 and "Game Day," which will feature traditional Latino games on Oct. 14 in Minglewood Bowl.
HSA will team up with Waco's HeadStart, a literacy and mentoring program for preschool, elementary and junior high children, to produce "Cuidemos la Innocencia" (Kid Day).
The month of festivities will conclude with the "Noche de Cultura" talent show on Oct. 30 to showcase the varied talents of Latino students in the Baylor community.
Hispanic Heritage Month was originally declared Hispanic Heritage Week by President Gerald Ford in 1974 to teach Americans about the positive influence Latino-Americans have had on the United States. The celebration's popularity grew, and the week was expanded to a full month of festivities in 1989.
For more information on Hispanic Heritage Month, contact the office of student activities at 710-2371.