The Latin Flare on CSU's Oval

By: Sam Hernandez

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Colorado State University observed National Hispanic Heritage Month by kicking it off with music from the contemporary salsa band, Fleur de Cana at the famous CSU Oval. Professional salsa dancers accompanied the fiery group mid-day Wednesday September 15th.

National Hispanic Heritage week started in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson. It was later turned into a 30-day observation by President Ronald Reagan, which starts September 15th and ends October 15th. Latin American countries such as Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, and Chile to name a few, celebrate their independence during these two months.

With Fleur de Cana’s trumpets blaring, the crowd couldn’t resist sitting any longer and many students, alumni, and others joined in on salsa dancing. The spirit of Hispanic culture was blending into CSU’s campus and that is just what the coordinators of the kickoff event had hoped for.

“Getting the word out” is what’s most important to Amanda Montoya, CSU’s President of the Multicultural Greek Council.

Montoya as well as many others are of mixed cultures and it is her main goal for people to know the importance of keeping culture alive and to get a since of empowerment out of your heritage. Montoya continued to explain that her family was a big influence on her growing up.

As I spoke with Rich Salas, associate director of Greek Life and event coordinator about National Heritage Hispanic Month he explained that, “it is part of American culture.” Salas proudly explained that Hispanic Heritage Month was more organized this year than previous years.

Salsa dancing has been a part of Latin countries for many years. The dance has evolved from something similar to a mambo to eventually a side to side dance with an emphasis on the hips. It is a combination of many different cultures into one dance. CSU’s campus reflected the dance in the mixture of cultures on the Oval. Salsa dancing invokes a sensual aesthetic which woke up CSU students that were enjoying lunch.

“The dance is a beautiful representation of our culture,” stated Angelica Stoll a professional salsa dancer, with a huge smile. Stoll had been professionally salsa dancing for five years before returning back to her “day job.”

Most of the students that did not have the courage to test out the dance were still tapping their feet or swaying to the sultry salsa music. CSU’s entire oval had been emerged in Latin culture and the crowd could not have proved it more. The crowd was blown away by the spicy music and dancing. As fall was beginning to blow through CSU, the heat from Fleur de Cana lit up students and sparked a flame in minds about what diversity meant.

It was important to all the coordinators that the students recognize the importance of diversity and the importance of uniting cultures. Many more events will be held in the following weeks for National Hispanic Heritage Month.