Helen Ramirez / Roundup
The rhythmic sound of Latin music filled the Great Hall while students danced and ate Thursday in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Free pupusas, chips, beverages and salsa were served for all who attended.
Things heated up when a partner-dance contest hit the floor, as dance partners showed off their attitudes and spins in hopes of winning. In the end, the winners
were Mayid Charif, 17, and Andrea Marin, 27, both of Colombian decent.
“Dancing is something natural in me and my partner,” Marin said. “We both grew up dancing back in our country.”
“I got a CD from the band as a prize, but most of all I won experience and good memories,” Charif said. “I have no interest in money anyways, it’s just a piece of paper.”
Throughout the event, the Los Pinguos band played a mixture of Latin American music.
“The music embarks a lot of different Latin cultures and is not only liked by Hispanics,” said lead singer Adrian Buono. “It is liked by many because it sends a good energy, and although some people don’t understand the words they can feel the energy.”
Pierce student Levi Oppenheim, 24, was attentively listening as he walked around the dance floor.
“I’m here for extra credit for my Spanish 1 class, but even if it wasn’t for my Spanish class I would still be here,” Oppenheim said.
While Oppeheim is of Jewish decent, he was always been interested in Hispanic culture.
“I have a very diverse group of friends that come from Eastern Europe, the Middle East and South America. International travel is something I plan on doing in the future and different cultures have always fascinated me,” Oppenheim said.
Ariana Noriega, a DJ and philosophy major, loves Latin music and saw the fliers around campus, leading her to attend the event. Noriega had class in the morning but came back just for the dance.
“I just like to sit down and enjoy watching,” Noriega, 22, said with a smile as she turned to continue watching the dance contest.
For Jennifer Gutierrez, 22, this event was one of her first at Pierce.
Gutierrez had not attended any sports games or culture events. She was motivated to attend for extra credit in her Spanish class, but her interest to experience something new led her to stay until the event ended.
The sound of rhythmic Latin music turned to laughter and excited conversation as students exited the Great Hall.
“It was fun celebrating our heritage,” Charif said. “All that matters is that we had fun together.”
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Kathy Boddicker teaches participants basic Salsa moves for the dance contest. (Louie Heredia / Roundup)