UCO celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

The University of Central Oklahoma Hispanic American Student Association (HASA) has been celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with events going on throughout September and October.

The celebration began earlier this September with HASA’s annual kickoff, followed by Fiesta Float Night and the organization’s participation in Oklahoma City’s Fiesta de las Americas.

Each event focused on bringing students together and showcasing the traditions and diversity within the Hispanic and Latin American cultures.

“HASA is about unifying Hispanic and Latin cultures. We want to educate the UCO community and give students a space to share and learn about our background,” said Ramiro Garcia, vice president of HASA

“We want people to be open-minded and to learn about different cultures, it’s about representation and showing we are proud of who we are,” he continued.

HASA’s next event will be “Sazon Latino,” in collaboration with UCO Latin Dance Club. The event will take place in the Night University Center, Room 326, on Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. It will include dance, food, mocktails, and music.

“HASA has helped me meet new people and feel more connected to my community. Our events are open to everyone who wants to learn more, have fun, and experience something different,” said Marissa Angeles, president of HASA.

According to Angeles, one of the organization’s main goals is to provide a sense of belonging for students at UCO.

“We want to create a home away from home for college students,” she said.

HASA leaders said they hope that, in addition to creating community, these events will promote awareness of Hispanic and Latin culture and history, educating people about traditions, values, and the importance of cultural pride.

HASA is also planning another major event for later this month, “Dia de los Muertos,” also known as Day of the Dead. The holiday honors the lives of deceased loved ones through music, food, and colorful altars. The event date is still being finalized.

HASA leaders said they hope either event helps raise awareness of cultural traditions while building understanding and a strong community across campus.

Students can find more information about upcoming events at @ucohasa on Instagram.