La Casa celebrates Hispanic heritage month

Sigma Lambda Gamma, a Latina-based sorority affiliated with the Latino Cultural Center, La Casa, is holding "Loteria," a night of fun and games, tonight from 7 to 9 p.m.\nLoteria has become an annual event for La Casa since the Psi chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma was established at Indiana University in 1997. The sorority has sponsored Loteria night for the past five years.\nLoteria is a Mexican-style bingo game played with beans, by both children and adults.\n"It's a fun way to promote Latino culture," Lillian Casillas, director of La Casa, said. "It's a way for others to learn about culture, and even a little bit of Spanish."\nCasillas also mentioned there would be refreshments and door prizes for those who qualify to claim "Loteria!" (much like announcing Bingo!).\n"Sometimes we get so many people that they're spread out on the floor," Casillas said. "Everyone gets into it and has so much fun."\n"We are very busy right now because it's National Hispanic Heritage month," Casillas said. "It's a great way for newcomers to learn about the culture and for Latinos who are homesick to feel more at home." \nSigma Lambda Gamma is a sorority made up of about ten girls. Most of the girls are Hispanic, but not everyone; in fact, all cultural backgrounds are welcome. \nAccording to Sigma Lambda Gamma's brochure, the group believes that "as women, we feel that our primary goal is to promote our evolving, rich and diverse culture by sharing with others."\nCorrina Garcia, the sorority's historian, explains the group's mission as one of community service and promotion of Hispanic heritage.\n"We're very involved on the whole campus," Garcia said. "Last week we had a cookout and all kinds of people showed up."\nAll students are welcome for a night of Loteria at the Latino Cultural Center on Seventh Street across from Dunn Meadow.\n"Loteria is a gathering when we just want to have fun," she said, "and to help people understand Hispanic life"