CBU celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Riverside, Calif. (Oct. 2, 2020) – A mix of Latin music blasted from the speakers in Lancer Plaza as students at California Baptist University waited for their grab bag at Community Life’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Oct. 1.

Taylor Altizer, assistant director of campus activities, said Comm Life hoped to instill the spirit of the event even when modified because of COVID-19.

“We’re trying to keep things as normal as possible but still staying within the restrictions of the current climate,” Altizer said.

The outdoor event included a snack pack filled with pre-packaged Hispanic treats such as various Mexican candy and a take-home craft bag with materials needed to make Mexican paper flowers.

Altizer said it is important to celebrate this event since a large portion of the CBU population comes from Hispanic descent.

“It’s educating our campus about the culture and also celebrating them and where they come from and the contribution those cultures have made to the United States,” Altizer said. “A lot of things we have and do can be attributed to Hispanic heritage so it’s important we acknowledge that.”

Madison Rose, a nursing junior, said she liked that the campus was able to have the event given COVID-19.

“It was really cool we can still have this event, so students can come out and interact with it in a casual way,” Rose said. “We want to make sure all students feel they belong here, and these kinds of events can help us get closer to our friends who are different from us.”

Sarah Peters, a nursing junior, said it’s important to recognize other cultures.

“We all come from different places, heritages and histories, and so it’s really important to celebrate that and remember it and respect it,” Peters said.

Students interested in celebrating Hispanic heritage are encouraged to participate in Trivia Tuesday on Community Life’s Instagram stories, which will focus on topics such as celebrities who come from Hispanic descent, Hispanic adventurers and inventors, and others, Altizer said.

She also recommends that students join the Spanish Club, which will be holding virtual events this semester.