"This fall, for the first time, our campus is offering English as a Second Language (ESL) classes," said Gettysburg Campus Dean Jennifer Weaver. "Along with a growing population of Hispanic students, we also have an active group of Spanish instructors and students, as well as sociology classes studying various aspects of culture and society. This celebration provides a wonderful opportunity to practice our language skills, learn about Latino cultures, and strengthen the connections between HACC and the local Hispanic community."
Weaver and Carmen Medina, Adams County program director with Hempfield Behavioral Health/Generacion Diez and co-chair of the Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs presented remarks. Medina is also the recipient of the 2004 Latina of the Year award from the Gettysburg Chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers Association.
Guest speaker Loida Esbri, newly appointed director of press and communications for the Pennsylvania Department of State, introduced the evening's theme, "Latino Pride." Esbri is past director of the Women's Center and Minority Recruitment at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster, past executive director for the Pennsylvania Commission for Women, and she currently serves as conference co-chair for the Pennsylvania Statewide Latino Coalition.
The celebration also featured music and dance performances. Students from the Generacion Diez Culture and Dance Club dressed in colorful traditional costumes to present a series of traditional Mexican dances, and vocal and guitar selections were provided by Jesus Contreras (DJ Forastero).
Latino flags on loan from Generacion Diez, along with a piñata display and crepe paper flowers created by HACC students, provided a vibrant backdrop for the festivities in the student commons. Closing reflections were offered by HACC student Claudia Vera-Lua.
HACC has planned a series of additional activities in observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 through October 15. Students in Lisa Hill's speech classes will give short presentations on topics related to Hispanic culture and traditions on Wednesday, October 6 and Thursday, October 14. Spanish instructor Gloria Alvarez and her students will demonstrate and teach merengue and salsa dance steps on October 7. These events will take place in the student commons from approximately 12 noon to 1:00 pm.
Also during Hispanic Heritage Month, HACC's exhibit hallway features art works created by students in the "Teaching English Through Art" program of the Center for Human Services' migrant and seasonal farmworker education and training programs. Also on display are several art works by HACC student Nallely Acosta. A Hispanic Heritage Month display in HACC's library features books on Latino culture.
All events are open to the community. Call 717-337-3855 for more information.
Caption for photo #563 (boys in sombreros in front of art display): The Generacion Diez Culture and Dance Club presented a series of traditional Mexican dances at a recent Hispanic Heritage Celebration at HACC-Gettysburg. Before their performance, these two dancers posed in front of artwork created by students in the Center for Human Services' migrant and seasonal farmworker education and training programs.