Hispanic Heritage Month is a 30-day celebration of Hispanic culture, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. With Hispanic Heritage Month now over, here's a look at what this past month meant for Latinx students at SHU.
Isabella Rivera said Hispanic Heritage Month is important to her. She is a senior political science and religion major and, said she was the first child in her family born in the U.S. This inspired her to pursue a law degree in the immigration field. She also said she interned at the Diaz law firm during the summer.
“Being part of a Latina-owned law firm run by women provided a unique perspective on the legal field [that] emphasizes diversity and empowerment,” she said. “Celebrating this month allows me to meditate on the beliefs, traditions, and stories that have shaped who I am.”
Liana Cotto, a junior visual media and sound major, said her mother immigrated from Puerto Rico. She said she was inspired by her mother’s hard work to want to pursue a college education.
“Pursuing higher education is a way for me to honor their sacrifices and create a path toward success for myself,” Cotto said, “one that I can share with my family.”
Cotto said she was drawn to join Pirates Sports Network, where she takes pictures of the softball and soccer teams. She said the network plays a part in her long-term goal of becoming a sports reporter.
Yarumi Carhuallanqui is a senior who is the president of Seton Hall’s section of Aspiring Latinos in Medicine Alliance (ALMA). Carhuallanqui said she wants to go to medical school and pursue her dream of becoming a physician. She said that when she got to Seton Hall, she saw there were no Hispanic groups geared toward medicine, which prompted her to develop ALMA.
“I started this club because I wanted to create a community where Latino students interested in medicine could connect, share experiences, and access opportunities specific to their cultural background,” Carhuallanqui said.
Natalie Poma is a senior financial mathematics major who is the marketing director for Seton Hall’s section of the Association of Latino Professionals. She said her role as marketing director entails creating content for social media, which uplifts voices and helps recruit members to the group.
“I think it is important to uplift Latina voices in order for us to bridge the gap for Latina's in the professional world,” Poma said. “It provides us with diversity and opportunities within the workplace.”
Poma said her mom went to college in Brazil and the U.S., so her mother emphasized the importance of education from a young age.
Matthew Mendives is a writer for The Setonian’s Campus Life section. He can be reached at matthew.mendives@student.shu.edu.
