La Casa center kicks off National Hispanic Heritage Month

In celebration of the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, La Casa, the Latino Cultural Center, held a kick-off gathering Friday afternoon to relish the spirit of Hispanic history, achievements and culture.\nLa Casa's opening reception featured food, a presentation on Latino history and culture and speeches by some of IU and Bloomington's most prominent figures, as well as plenty of time for mingling. \n"This was a great and informal way of bridging the Latino communities on- and off-campus," La Casa Director Lillian Casillas said. "It was an opportunity to have some type of event that says it's the start of Hispanic Heritage Month."\nAbout 60 people visited La Casa throughout the afternoon, including Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan and IU Dean of Students Richard McKaig. Kruzan initiated the event with an opening speech in which he discussed the history and importance of Hispanics in Bloomington and declared Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 National Hispanic Heritage Month. People involved in La Casa also spoke, including Casillas and representatives from some of the 16 different Latino student organizations on campus.\nCasillas and others involved in La Casa have planned several events for the month. More than 30 educational and social events are set to take place to celebrate the culture and contributions of Hispanics, Casillas said.\n"This month is to educate people and give a background on our heritage," said sophomore Cynthia Solorzano, an employee at La Casa. \nSolorzano said the month will feature cooking classes, the Festival Latino and numerous opportunities for students to get involved in Latino organizations, including fraternities and sororities.\n"Also, if people have ideas of things they want to do, they can talk to the center, and we'll try to make it happen," Solorzano said.\nDespite its students comprising only a small percentage of IU's student population, La Casa has gained the reputation since its opening in 1973 of being a tight-knit group that is visibly active in many sectors of student life on campus, members said.\n"There is a very intact Latino community here," junior Luis Beverido said. "I actually would prefer to call it a family because that's how close we all are. La Casa is a home away from home for anyone who wants it to be."\nLa Casa frequently pairs up with other cultural centers on campus, such as the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and the Asian Culture Center. Directors of both centers attended the event along with students from those and other cultural groups. Sara Alghani, a junior involved with the Black Student Union, came to the event to extend her support to La Casa and its Latino students.\n"I like to branch out and thought coming here would be a good opportunity," Alghani said. "Plus, whenever I come to La Casa, I have a good time."\nStudents interested in becoming involved with La Casa or those who want to pick up a National Hispanic Heritage month calendar of events can visit the center at 715 E. Seventh St.