Saint Xavier University (SXU) is once again celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month beginning September 15 through October 15. The multicultural university will continue to offer events throughout the month to celebrate and educate the SXU community.
According to SXNews, September 15 was chosen as the start date in order to coincide with the Independence Day celebrations of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
On Friday, September, 15, SXU kicked off the celebration by selling T-shirts in the Diner Atrium for $5.00. The shirts included the hashtag #SOMOSSXU which in English translates to “we are SXU.”
Students were welcomed to wear their shirts to the Pilsen Mexican Independence Day Parade on Saturday the 16th. Students were also able to march in the parade as well.
The events continued on Wednesday, September 20 with a noon bilingual mass in Spanish and English. Sophomore, Katie Hernandez stated, “I think that it was amazing that SXU offered mass in Spanish because some people grew up going to church where our mass was only in Spanish and it was nice for SXU to offer it to us.”
During the month, the university will offer food specials where each Thursday, the Diner will offer a special food.
Thursday, September 28 the Diner will be offering the TASTE OF SPAIN>Pinchitos. The dish, for those who are new to the cuisine, is Paella Rice and Spanish peas.
Thursday, October 5, the Diner will be serving what they call the Puerto Rico Celebration, which will consist of Puerto Rican Ajo Chicken accompanied with Puerto Rican Rice and Beans. For more information on the specials offered at the diner this month, visit www.sxu.edu, keyword: Dining.
On the Evening of Wednesday, September 27, SXU has invited Carlos Andrés Gómez to come speak. According to his website, www.Carloslive.com, Gomez is an an award-winning poet, actor, speaker, and author. You may know him from his viral poems such as, “What Latino Looks Like.” Gomez will explore intersecting identities and perform spoken word at McGuire Hall at 7 p.m..
SXU will continue its support of Defending DACA with a public gathering on Thursday, October 5 from noon to 1 p.m. at the entrance on 103rd Street by the Shannon Center. The university calendar states that the SXU community is welcome to join RJEA and Unidos to #DefendDACA! Students are encouraged to wear #DefendDACA T-shirts or #SomosSXU T-shirts.
SXU has made their support of protecting DREAMers clear when SXU President Joyner, released a statement earlier this month on behalf of the university, stating, “ Our core values call us to stand united in support of undocumented and DACA students”.
The fun will continue on Thursday, October 12 with the Latino Leaders Career Panel. The event will begin at 5 p.m. in the Butler Reception Room. The university will have professionals from a variety of career fields and students will be able to learn how they designed a path for career success.
The events will wrap up on Saturday, October 14 with ESTRELLAS DE SXU (SXU Stars). According to SXU’s website, the community is welcome to join UNIDOS and the SXU community in honoring the achievements of Latino students at Saint Xavier University.
Doors open at 6:30 P.M. The awards ceremony begins at 7 P.M. in McGuire Hall and the celebration commences at 8 p.m. in the SXU Diner Atrium and O’Malley Quad.
Shadia Judeh
News Reporter