Troy celebrates Hispanic Heritage

Hispanic Heritage Month is underway, giving Troy University students an opportunity to learn more about Hispanic and Latino cultures and the contributions of Hispanic Americans.

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 each year. The month begins on Sept. 15, a date that marks the independence celebrations of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates its independence on Sept. 16, while Chile celebrates on Sept. 18.

For one professor, the month is also a way to recognize her own background.

“To me, Hispanic History Month honors my roots, my culture and my place in the United States,” said  Dr. Johanna Mendez Alberich, associate professor of Spanish. “It is a celebration of cultures of the descendants of over 20 Spanish-speaking countries living in the US.”

Professors in the Department of World Languages said the month provides an opportunity for people to learn about cultures they may not otherwise encounter.

“For me, part of its importance is visibility,” said Dr. Kelly Suero, world languages chair and associate professor of Spanish. “We spend so much of our lives around cultures and people we may not know very much about. A month like this gives us a reason to stop and learn something we might not otherwise learn.”

The Department of World Languages and Cultures is recognizing the month with a Hispanic Heritage Month Bingo Challenge. Students can complete activities and answer questions about Hispanic and Latino cultures for a chance to win prizes. Students who complete the entire card can also receive a grand prize.

The bingo cards are due Oct. 19 in 212 Wright Hall.

The Department of World Languages and Cultures and Troy University Library are also hosting a Spanish Virtual Film Festival. The festival will run throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, with a different Spanish-language movie available each week.

“Learning another language is obviously a huge part of it, and yes, I absolutely want students to take our language classes,” Suero said. “You’re also learning about the people around you, their histories and cultures, and maybe seeing the world a little differently because of it.”