Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off with #YoSoyBayPath event

Students, faculty, and staff kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month on Friday, September 15th in Blake Student Commons with an immersive cultural celebration alive with music, dancing, and indulging in traditional foods. Using the hashtag of #IAMBAYPATH, students and other members of the Bay Path community created cardboard signs celebrating their individuality. For Hispanic Heritage Month, the Spanish translation #YoSoyBayPath was included to further celebrate and highlight the culture of the Hispanic/Latinx community.

This event was the first in a series taking place throughout the month. Among the festivities was the Springfield Puerto Rican Parade, September 17th, 2017. The parade featured a float made by a team of faculty, staff, and students brought together by Elizabeth Cardona, Executive Director of Multicultural Affairs, International Student Life and Assistant to the Provost for Diversity and Inclusion. Cardona was honored this year as the Springfield Puerto Rican Parade Cultural Ambassador.

The University’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month will culminate with a symposium taking place on Saturday, September 30th. The Hispanic Heritage Month Symposium gives students the opportunity to present on a topic of their choosing, while other attendees will learn more about Hispanic heritage, enjoy an ethnic lunch with keynote remarks from Board of Trustee member Dr. Estela Lopez, and immerse themselves in fun activities surrounding the cultural experience, such as a Bomba y Plena workshop.