“The Latina in me is an ember that blazes forever.” – Sonia Sotomayor
Sept. 15 was chosen as a starting point of Latino Heritage Month because it is the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. A few days later Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence on Sept. 16 and 18.
The month long celebration began 28 years ago when Ronald Reagan decided a month long was needed for the celebrations of Latinos, Sept. 15-Oct. 15. The reason we celebrate Latino Heritage Month is to honor and recognize the contributions and success made by Latinos in the United States. Here at Illinois State, Her Campus wants to celebrate the achievements and success of Latino students and staff and the incredible impacts they are making in our community!
Chloe Kasper, Junior
Mexican and Venezuelan
Treasurer of Illinois State University’s Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America
Editor-in-Chief of Her Campus Illinois State
Dr. Maura Toro-Morn
Puerto Rican
Sociology Professor
Director of the Latin American and Latino/a Studies Program
Award Winner of the David Strand Diversity Award
Valeria Berrum, Junior
Mexican
President of Association of Latin American Students
Secretary and Membership Chair for Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
Alternative Breaks Trip Leader
Professor Marinelly Castillo- Zuniga
Venezuelan
Spanish Club Advisor since 2007
Member of American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages
Selena Gonzalez, Junior
Mexican
Golden Apple Scholar
Member of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Incorporated
Resident Assistant
Bowman Fellow Endowment Scholarship Winner
Admissions Tour Guide
This month, celebrate Latino Heritage Month and the rich cultures within the Latino communities in the best ways!