Esther Morales Liedecke teaches tortilla-making in Cooking with Mama Sept. 27, 2007. File
Moreno enjoys the unveiling of her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame July 20, 1995, on Hollywood Boulevard. AccuNet/AP
By T. L. Hupfer
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15-Oct. 15 gives people a reason to recognize the contributions of Hispanic Americans in government, athletics and military.
Many have made strides in literature, science and medicine, music and film.
Others have become civil rights leaders and national political figures.
Rita Moreno, the only Hispanic to win an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy and a Tony, will lecture at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center.
Best known for her role in “West Side Story,” Moreno has been the Hollywood face of Hispanic heritage for decades.
In 1961, she was won an Oscar for her role in “West Side Story,” a modern take on the Romeo and Juliet story. A free screening is 7 p.m. Oct. 14 in the auditorium of McAllister.
In other campus events, SACtacular, a block party is 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. today in the mall. This event is free and open to the public.
The OnStage Drama Club will be hosting “Bocón” at 10 a.m. Wednesday and at 7 p.m. Thursday in the theater in McCreless Hall. The performance is directed by theater Instructor Paula Rodriguez.
Ester Morales-Liedecke will share the art of tortilla making at noon Wednesday in Cooking with Mama in the craft room of Loftin.
Hispanic pioneers
In 1822, Joseph Marion Hernandez became the first Hispanic American to become a member of Congress.
The first Hispanic American NFL player was Ignacio “Lou” Molinet in 1927.
In 1952, Desi Arnaz, “I love Lucy’s” Ricky Ricardo, was the first Hispanic American to star in a network television show.
Richie Valens was the first Hispanic American rock ’n’ roll star, appearing in 1958.
In 1961, Rita Moreno was the first Hispanic American to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
The first Nobel Prize in physics to go to a Hispanic American was awarded to Luiz Walter Alvarez in 1968.
In 1986, Franklin Chang-Diaz became the first Hispanic American astronaut.
