Ceremony opens Raza Heritage Month Sept. 16 in Loftin

Rey Saldana, chair of VIA transit board, speaks about the importance of getting a college education at the Raza Heritage Month opening ceremony Sept. 16 in the Fiesta Room. He explained that when he was younger he was not ready for the commitment that college demanded and did not complete his degree. He was denied great job opportunities and decided to go back to college. He went back and completed his education with a doctorate. He informed the students to stay in college, be committed and complete a degree. Marcia Taylor

An essay contest will award cash prizes.

By Asia Andrews

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Health is the theme for Raza Heritage Month, “A Holistic Guide to Salud,” which continues through Oct. 14.

Courtesy

The name was changed from Hispanic Heritage Month last year to recognize the many different cultures and people in the Latinx community, the chair of the planning committee, Dr. Lisa Ramos, said Sept. 6.

She also is the Mexican-American studies program coordinator.

Ramos said the events will celebrate Hispanic heritage and allow the Latinx community to “take pride in and receive the proper recognition it deserves.”

Sept. 16 is celebrated as Mexican Independence Day. This commemorates the first revolt for Mexico’s independence from Spain.

The opening ceremony will happen 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 16 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center.

Rey Saldaña, VIA Metropolitan Transit board chair and former San Antonio city councilman, will share the importance of a healthy vision and physically active lifestyle.

An event Sept. 10 was the Yanawana Herbolarios: The Peoples’ Clinic at Sinkin Eco Centro. The clinic offered a botanical pharmacy and holistic health care to students.

The clinic is a recurring event to introduce different ways of healing and alternative medicine, she said.

Students may also enter an essay contest. This year’s theme is “Latinx Strong: The Health of a Community.”

Dr. Maria De Los Reyes, dean of student success, speaks at the Raza Heritage Month opening ceremony Sept. 16 in the Fiesta Room. She encouraged students to find out more about the program because it is for all cultures. Marcia Taylor

Students can submit essays in the until 3 p.m. Oct. 24 in Room 123 of Gonzales Hall.

First place prize is $350, second place prize is $250, and third place prize is $150.

Guidelines are available in that location, but Ramos stressed the guidelines are merely suggestions.

 Also that week is a lecture, “The Cure of La Llorona and El Cucuy,” 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 in Rooms 202-204 of the Victory Center.

Researcher Gary Perez will discuss findings from 4,000-year-old rock art in caves near Comstock.

A schedule for more events is available on the college website at https://www.alamo.edu/sac/calendar/2019/october/raza-heritage-month-2019/

For more information about the essay contest, contact English Professors Alex Bernal and Dr. Patricia Portales at 210-486-0649.

For information on other events, call Ramos at 210-486-0761.