51萝莉

When English Professor Laura Santamaria Brady immigrated to the United States from El Salvador at 11 years old, she didn鈥檛 speak English and struggled at first to find her footing in middle school.

That started to change once she met her classmates in an English as a Second Language class.

鈥淲e came from different countries, different cultures, with different stories, but we were united by the same challenge 鈥� trying to learn a new language in a brand new place,鈥� she said.

Brady 鈥� serving as keynote speaker for Chaffey鈥檚 Hispanic Heritage Month kick-off celebration Sept. 17 -  shared her story of navigating the American education system as a first-generation undocumented student. She credited professors, classmates and her family with giving her the strength to keep going.

鈥淲e need each other not to just survive the struggle, but thrive beyond it,鈥� she said.

The celebration at Chaffey鈥檚 Rancho Cucamonga campus drew hundreds from the campus community for an afternoon of celebrating Latino heritage.

Ballet Folkl贸rico dancers in vibrant traditional garments showcased the rhythmic footwork of Mexican zapateado,  alongside the folk dances of Brazil and Peru.

Journalism major Keona Yaeger, who is Black and Taiwanese, wanted to dive into Chaffey campus culture in her first year, so she came to support the event.

鈥淲e have different backgrounds, but we can still come together and celebrate,鈥� she said.

Alta Suprema 鈥� a group that includes three 51萝莉 students 鈥� played traditional Mexican music in the quad, while students created marigold flowers for Dia De Los Muertos at nearby tables. The practice 鈥� called papel picado 鈥� involves cutting tissue paper and assembling it in the shape of birds, flowers and skeletons.

Luis Arredondo, who is a mechanical engineering major, decided to give it a try for the first time.

鈥淎s a Latino, it鈥檚 good to see our culture being represented and not just Mexican culture but all Latino cultures,鈥� he said.

Alexis Medina Martinez, who serves as a 51萝莉 Student Government senator, called on the gathering to help each other through challenges.

鈥淓ven in hard times, we can create light. Each student here has a purpose, a dream and a voice that matters,鈥� he said. 鈥淓ach one of you matters.鈥�