Honors College Celebrates Latinx Heritage Month With Dance Fiesta

Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Students dance at Honors College Latinx Heritage Month

Soaring trumpets and the pulsing beat of reggaeton carried throughout the Commonwealth Honors College concourse on September 30, drawing the community into an annual dance fiesta in celebration of Latinx Heritage Month.

“I heard the music on my way back from class,” said Gianna Naulivou, a first-year political science major. “I was pretty intrigued.”

Naulivou described the crowd of students and faculty dancing and enjoying Latin food as “super cute,” noting that cultural events like the fiesta have shaped her interest in public service.

Dean Castañeda speaks to the crowd while the DJs spin music at the Latinx Heritage Month Dance Fiesta at the University of Massachusetts
Two students stand outdoors in the Commonwealth Honors College at the University of Massachusetts

Dean Castañeda speaks to the crowd while the DJs spin music at the Latinx Heritage Month Dance Fiesta at the University of Massachusetts

I love policy that relates to more equitable opportunities, especially in relation to education,” said Naulivou. “It's even more important to me that this is happening on a college campus.

Paola Aoun, a sophomore computer science and Spanish major, said that before coming to UMass Amherst, she rarely had the opportunity to celebrate her Latina identity outside of the home.

“It makes me feel very included because I've never grown up with such inclusivity before, especially growing up in a primarily white town,” Aoun said. “It's very nice to see the diversity on campus.”

“Hearing the music, and moving your body to the music and dancing, it's something that's really special to me because it reminds me of going back to Ecuador [and] reminds me of family,” added Gabe Zeinoun, a senior biology major. “It helps build a sense of connection of my Latin identity to this campus, which helps make it feel more like a true home.”

“It's important to recognize how we're all unique and diverse and we bring such richness to the spaces of the university,” said Dean Mari Castañeda while dancing to the music. “It's nice to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month to music and dancing and culture and community building.”

I just feel like a community that dances together, stays together.
- Dean Mari Castañeda

 

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