Yavapai College is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month with events for the entire community.
National Hispanic Heritage Month begins Sept. 15 and lasts through Oct. 15. The observation began in 1968 to celebrate the “histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America,” according to the federal Hispanic Heritage Month website.
Sept. 15 is significant as it is celebrated as independence day in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence days this month on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.
YC is participating in the celebration by hosting a variety of activities, including decorations, food, movies, art, music, language classes and dance at each campus. The programs, which are free and open to the public, are anticipated to be even more exciting than in years past.
“We were unable to celebrate last year, so we’re making up for it this year,” Janice Soutee, YC director of leadership and student engagement, said in a statement. “We hope it brings everyone together in the spirit of community, inclusion and belonging that we value highly at YC.”
YC’s activities were coordinated by a diverse group of students, faculty and staff who wanted to share the “vibrance and the warmth of the Hispanic community that touches us all,” according to a news release. “The Roughrider ambassadors and others in the YC community are making this celebration something special,” Soutee said.
The celebration will begin Sept. 15 with a photo booth and Mexican food served all day at the Prescott campus. The next week, on Sept. 22 and 23, the Clarkdale campus will host an outdoor screening of “Coco.” The event will also have piñatas and other fun activities, which begin at 7 p.m.
On Sept. 30, students at the Verde Valley campus will host a Hispanic heritage game night, which will begin at 6 p.m. in Building M, room 137. The library at YC will also be launching a new Spanish Language Cafe during the month, which will serve coffee and churros for free the first Wednesday of every month going forward. The first “language exchange” will take place at noon on Oct. 6.
On Oct. 7, both campuses will host a salsa dance party hosted by Latin dance instructor Daniel Garcia. The dance party will take place at the Prescott campus in the courtyard. Later in the evening, both campuses will screen the movie “Tortilla Soup.”
The grand finale will consist of a community celebration Oct. 13. Both YC President Lisa Rhine and mask artist Zarco Guerrero will be in attendance, with Guerrero sharing his mask art, processes and influence.
For more information about YC’sHispanic Heritage Month activities, visit www.yc.edu/NHHM.
