Hispanic Heritage Month Kicks Off

Yurial and Aaron Espinoza at a Hispanic Student Association event (Olivia Edwards)

For Derek Vasquez, Hispanic Student Association president, the next three weeks’ celebration is an opportunity to celebrate his culture and the Hispanic community.  

“The fact that we have a whole month to celebrate us Hispanics, it means a lot,” said Vasquez. “Even though there are a lot of laws and rules that want us out of the country, there’s still a month for us, you know?”

Belmont University’s HSA kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, with an event Tuesday discussing the current realities of immigration.

The event brought together students and faculty from different backgrounds and created a safe space to discuss the rapidly rising concerns about immigration and its effect on the Hispanic community, highlighting the significance of celebrating Hispanic heritage on campus.

During a group discussion, Ariel Reyes Cornelio, a freshman and the HS treasurer, described feeling safer at Belmont than off campus.

“When I’m at Belmont… I have friends here. They see something, they’ll let me know,” Reyes said. “I feel like I can’t even go out for a run without my wallet, because what if I’m stopped? I'm like, ‘Oh, where am I gonna be? Where am I gonna end up?”

The discussion also focused on the importance of having a community on campus where Hispanic students can share their experiences and connect with others who understand their concerns. 

Todd Lake, vice president for faith-based engagement and church relations, told attendees that Hispanic students have the support of Belmont’s faculty, staff, and fellow students when facing personal challenges. 

 “I want everyone to feel like they’re part of a village, essentially,” Lake said. “Like, we’re here holding you up… linking arm in arm.” 

As HSA and Hispanic students continue to celebrate this month, they can do so knowing there is a community at Belmont celebrating alongside them.

For Reyes, that sense of community is part of the month’s significance.

“Having representation here is very important… letting students know there is a community for them and knowing that they're safe on campus and that someone's going to be here to support them and talk about the difficult things,” Reyes said. 

Written by Ayah Saeed and Olivia Edwards