Published September 15, 2018
The Dodge City Community College International Club is organizing several events on campus the week of Sept. 15-21 in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month and National Hispanic-Serving Institution Week.
Monday, the International Club will be in front of the Student Union handing out bracelets imprinted with “What’s Your Heritage?” The hope is to spawn discussion about the importance of cultural awareness and history for everyone, not just Hispanics.
“I believe very strongly that everyone should understand not only where they are headed but also appreciate where they come from,” said Jorge Estrella, sponsor of the International Club and director of Student Achievement and Resources Center at DC3. “It’s important to learn and talk about each other’s heritage. These events help students generate those conversations that may not normally happen.”
On Tuesday, art professor Jennifer Nolan and the DC3 Art Club will be out underneath the balcony of the Fine Arts building creating bleach-stencil t-shirts. For best results, students are encouraged to bring a dark-colored t-shirt – although most any color will work. The art club will supply all other materials including Hispanic-themed stencils.
“Tres Vidas,” a unique cultural event sponsored by United Way of Dodge City and the Community Foundation of Southwest Kansas, will be performed at the DC3 Little Theater Thursday evening at 7:30.
“It’s difficult to get this type of performance here,” said Estrella, “so when the opportunity arose for it to be presented as part of Hispanic Heritage Week, we felt it was important to make that happen.”
Members of the International Club will be mixing traditional Hispanic drinks like horchata, Jamaica flower, tamarindo, and agua frescas in the Student Achievement and Resource Center for Thirsty Thursday.
Friday is movie night at the DC3 Little Theater with the showing of “Selena” at 7 p.m.
Sponsors for the events include: the Adult Learning Center; the DC3 Art Club, the Connection Center, SARC, and Phi Theta Kappa.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.
Dodge City Community College is one of only three colleges in the state of Kansas designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Title V of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 defines HSIs as institutions of higher education with 25 percent or more total undergraduate Hispanic enrollment.
By Scott Edger