LSA continues to highlight Hispanic Heritage
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the Latino Student Alliance (LSA) is highlighting Latino excellence on campus by holding events and collaborating with other organizations.
According to census.gov, the city of Troy has a 2.4% Hispanic and Latino population, which is around half of the state’s average. Troy University Department of World Languages and Cultures Chair Dr. Kelly Suero argues that this makes representation more necessary.
“When a group is smaller, it can be easier for those students and their experiences to be less visible,” Suero said. “To me, the goal is for students to feel represented throughout the year, not just during Hispanic Heritage Month.”
LSA Secretary Rocio Perez, a political science major from Fort Payne, Alabama, talked about her experience as someone who moved from somewhere with a higher Latino population,
"Coming in as a freshman and not having anyone to talk with or not having anyone that I felt like I could relate with was very hard to deal with at first,” Perez said. "I think having a place where there are Latinos you can talk with is so important to help you feel at ease in college."
LSA was created out of the want for more Hispanic and Latino representation on campus.
"I really wanted a space where we could have ideas, where we could have events like this,” said LSA Founder and President Alondra Jaimes-Peña, a senior political science major from Birmingham, Alabama.
Jaimes-Peña said it’s been encouraging to see how active and enthusiastic members of the club are.
This year, LSA’s theme for Hispanic and Latino Heritage month is Latino Legacy, which, according to its Instagram, means honoring the history, culture, resilience and contributions of Latino communities that have helped shape American history and continue to influence its future.
LSA has been holding events, like the Latino Legacy Panel, to highlight the message of Latino Legacy. Their aim isto show Latino excellence not just at the university, but in the greater Troy community as well.
“[We’ve handed] out bags for custodians as a thank you, we’ve partnered with UAB, we’ve done other things to give back and to show that we’re here to support and that anyone is welcome,” Perez said.
Peña explained how Troy's community uplifts Hispanic and Latino students on campus and how they help organizations like LSA.
"That can give us a sense of family, a sense of community, a sense of 'they believe in us, they're people who could be our parents,'” Peña said. "Their big sense of belief in us makes it so much more worth it, and I know other organizations who get these sponsors and get these donations also. It means a lot."
Officers also explained how the university could improve representation of Latino people and the organization.
“Troy is already a very welcoming place,” Peña said. “I think being more welcoming or being more open-minded to have some more incorporated and putting more significance on events like [the panel] or Hispanic Heritage Month [is important].”
Perez talked about wanting more community on campus.
“I want it to be more out there, because we’re very small right now,” Perez said. “I want people to know there’s a place and to feel welcome.
“If there’s more representation in the future, I want it to be more involved on campus.”
LSA currently meets biweekly in Patterson Hall. For updates and event announcements, visit their Instagram @troylatinostudentalliance.
Comments