Rockets celebrate Hispanic Culture

Over the past month, Hands Across Campus (HAC) has led our community in the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, a time dedicated to recognizing influential Hispanic Americans and their positive impact on society.

The celebration began in CREW with the creation of papel picados, traditional decorations made by cutting elaborate designs into sheets of brightly colored paper. The papel picados were hung in the glass hallway, along with informational posters of men and women of Hispanic heritage who have contributed to the arts and sciences. Students were also encouraged to offer prayers of thanksgiving or leave an offering on the ofrenda in the Convent, built by members of HAC.

On Wednesday, Oct. 13, representatives from the Immigrants and Refugee Program of Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio spoke to Rockets about the realities of immigrants and refugees. The month’s celebrations culminated with a bilingual mass on Friday, Oct. 15 on the feast of St. Teresa of Avila, a Spanish nun and reformer. During his sermon, Father Kevin Scalf said, “God has certainly does us a great favor by bringing us together as the McNick family during this Hispanic Heritage Month with St. Teresa inspiring us anew!”

The goal of Hands Across Campus is to foster inclusion, joy, friendship, leadership, and cultural competency.  Through interactive meetings, open discussions, and activities, students acquire understanding and respect for their own and other cultures and grow as compassionate leaders.