The Hispanic Student Union Brings NVCC Together, Celebrating the Cultures of our Hispanic Communities

by Kosmar Wills, staff writer

Hispanic Heritage month was September 15th to October 15th, 2022 and our college’s Hispanic Student Union—who are also the winners of the Student Activities Bulletin Board Competition (full coverage in this edition)—celebrated with many events.

Karlene Ball is the advisor of the Hispanic Student Union. She coordinates NVCC’s English as a Second Language (ESL) Program and teaches Intro to Latino Studies. I sat down with her to learn about the work of the Hispanic Student Union and the aspirations of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Student Union, place great emphasis on the importance of bringing awareness to Latin American countries and their different cultures. Their belief is that it is fundamental that we educate ourselves and others about the Latin American culture.

From the flags of Latin American countries posted around on the 5th floor, to the numerous events it hosted, it is apparent that the Hispanic Student Union has done a fantastic job of bringing awareness to Latin American culture.

This year their theme was “Unidos” (United): ‘Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation. The HSU hosted a domino tournament, and there was music, food and dancing. They also hosted an event in celebration of the African Heritage of Puerto Rico and they had Bomba dancers.

For one of their events they had a band come to play Ecuadorian and Latin music. Representing Ecuadorian culture, they also had Alba’s Cafecito come and give a presentation of the Ecuadorian way to prepare coffee.

On November 2nd, they also hosted an event in honor of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) which is a Mexican holiday that is essentially a remembrance of lives that have passed.

All in all, Hispanic heritage month in NVCC was celebrated with many fun and educational events hosted by the Hispanic Student Union. They were able to host so many events and accomplish so much in such short time. I can’t wait to see the events that they host for Hispanic Heritage Month next year!

Hispanic Student Union Hosts NVCC Graduate, Elaine Nadal, with Poetry Reading to Kick Off Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

What a delight it was to have Elaine Nadal, A Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net-nominee—and NVCC alum—share her work as part of our Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration.

Elaine Nadal is the author of two poetry chapbooks: When and Sweat, Dance, Sing, Cut, published by Finishing Line Press. Her fiction and poetry have appeared in several journals and anthologies, including Beyond Words Literary Magazine, Spillwords Press,

Haunted Waters Press, Hoot Review, and Latino Book Review Magazine.

Nadal has shared her work in many venues. She recently did a TEDx talk on hope, poetry, and music.

Here is the link to the talk:

Verses of Hope Within Us | Elaine Nadal | TEDxURI