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NEWS
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(photo courtesy of adventisthealthcare.com)
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BY MALLORY GATSON
Staff Writer
Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes and celebrates the extensive history, diverse culture, community and contributions of the Hispanic community. The month is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 of every year. At Ouachita, Hispanic Heritage Month features different events showcasing Hispanic culture. This month is important because it allows Hispanic students to share their culture with the rest of campus.
The first event Hispanic Heritage Month hosted was the kick-off luncheon, which served a variety of Hispanic dishes. Senior Keren Hernandez’s favorite dish was served, reminding her of her home country, Honduras. Her favorite dish is called tajadas con carne molida, which is ground beef with plantains.
“The cafeteria did an incredible job at recreating it, the flavor was great and it totally made me feel at home,” Hernandez said. “I think a lot of students enjoyed it and were excited to try something new.”
Following this event was the Fiesta Mesa. This event was sponsored by La Fuerza, the Latino+ Hispanic Organization. Fiesta Mesa was held in the Evans Student Center where a table was set up with horchata for students to try. Horchata is a cinnamon rice drink that is common in Mexico.
“Everyone seemed to enjoy the food,” Reyna Cabrera, La Fuerza Ambassador, said.
Along with the horchata there were cookies, candy, bracelets and fans that students were able to take. At this table there was also a photo opportunity with an Instagram prop handle.
Karla Montiel, a junior who is involved in La Fuerza, gave a live performance of “Como La Flor” by the late Selena Quintanilla.
Montiel values Hispanic Heritage Month for the cultural education it provides each year.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is important to me because I not only learn about other Hispanic cultures but I learn more about my own. It helps me connect more every day because each year there is something different each country does and/or celebrates.” Montiel said.
Montiel is thankful to be a part of La Fuerza and the work they do to create a welcoming community.
“La Fuerza is here to create that community of learning about the cultures, feeling welcomed for those parts of it and an empowerment movement for many Hispanic/Latino students at Ouachita Baptist University,” Montiel said. “It is a home away from home.”
Students enjoy Barn Bash hosted by Campus Ministries during TWIRP week in 2020. This year’s Barn Bash will take place on Oct. 16, in the middle of the two-week lineup of dances. (photo by Abby Blankenship)
Clubs to host TWIRP dances
BY CAROLINE DERBY
Staff Writer
TWIRP, an acronym for “The Woman Is Required to Pay,” is a long-standing tradition of date nights at Ouachita. TWIRP is put on by each of the women’s social clubs on campus and Campus Ministries. In past few days, campus has been buzzing with questions of who is asking who to which date night and figuring out what to wear for each of the themed nights.
In years past, TWIRP was a week-long event. This year, however, TWIRP will be hosted over two weeks. Three nights of parties will take place Oct. 14-16, and the other three nights of parties will take place Oct. 21-23.
Each TWIRP party has a small admission fee. The money raised from TWIRP goes back to the clubs as these nights serve as fundraisers.
The lineup for the first week of TWIRP includes Chi Mu Masquerade, Tri Chi 80s Night and Campus Ministries’ Barn Bash. The schedule for the second week includes EEE 50s Night, the Chi Delta Carnival and the Gamma Phi Angels in the Outfield party.
The parties are fun for those who attend, but also create a strong bond between those planning the parties as well. TWIRP dances require a much time spent planning from the members and leaders of each of the clubs.
“The most fun part is most definitely getting to grow closer to the girls in my PC and getting to work together as a team to put on a super fun event for the school,” Kinley Ritter, a Tri Chi member, said..
Ritter helped plan Tri Chi 80s night last year. She not only loved attending the event herself, but also loved making preparations leading up to the event.
“There is a lot that goes into putting on this event for our peers and trying to make it as enjoyable as possible. It was really cool getting to see everyone use their individual talents to create such a diverse event,” Ritter said.
The freshman class and those who have never attended TWIRP before look forward to this new experience.
“I am really looking forward to spending time with friends outside of the classroom environment and getting to experience my first TWIRP,” freshman Haley Shourd said.
Shourd plans on attending the majority of the TWIRP nights, and looks forward to being immersed in this Ouachtia tradition.
TWIRP week, and for this year, TWIRP weeks, are fun, enjoyable and memorable for all who attend.
NEWS
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Isabella Bejarano seeks to bring awareness to human trafficking. Bejarano planned and coordinated The Walk for Freedom set to take place Oct. 16 at the Arkadelphia High School track. (photo by Levi Dade)
Bejarano hosts walk to end human trafficking
BY JULIA SHANDS
Staff Writer
Isabella Bejarano became passionate about human trafficking when she witnessed it firsthand on a family vacation in Cartagena, Colombia at the age of 16. At the time, Bejarano did not fully understand what had taken place, but she knew it was not right. After that experience, Bejarano knew she wanted to make a difference. Soon after, she began researching information to become educated on the topic and to help others become aware of the problem.
“I started to research a lot about it and I discovered that if one percent of the world population found out what to do in a human trafficking scenario, we would have twice as many people who are aware and are advocates against it than we would have victims,” Bejarano said. “Currently 5.4 out of every 1000 people are trafficked, so there are potentially 54 people that could be trafficked here in Arkadelphia, and we wouldn’t know.”
While scrolling through Instagram, Bejarano came across a post from the A21 Campaign, an anti-human trafficking organization, advertising The Walk for Freedom. A21 organizes the walk annually and puts it on globally by having cities around the world plan a walk in their own town. After discovering A21, Berajano applied to host a walk in Arkadelphia and was later accepted by the organization.
The Walk for Freedom will be held on Oct.16 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Arkadelphia High School track. Participants will walk a mile around the track in a single file line in silence.
“People can take the time in silence to pray, or A21 also has a podcast that you can play with headphones, and it explains a lot of what trafficking looks like and what you can do to make an impact in your town,” Bejarano said.
After the walk has finished, there will be a raffle and a silent auction.
“We’ve gone to many local businesses and visited with them and a lot of them have been really happy to contribute to the cause,” Bejarano said. “It’s just been so crazy to see people realize that it’s an issue here in Arkadelphia and then be so excited to donate.”
Through this walk, Bejerano is hoping to raise awareness in the local community by helping people see the significance of maintaining basic human rights.
“I feel like this generation is one that is looking for change in the world and this is a very relevant cause because it ties into so many others,” Bejarano said. “It ties into so many things because it’s about the right to freedom that any human being has. It’s important to ask ourselves how we can use our freedom to help others be free as well.”
To sign up to participate in the Walk for Freedom on Oct. 16 at 3 p.m., scan the QR code on any of the Walk for Freedom posters on campus or go to a21.org/arkadelphia to register.
“The most important thing to know about human trafficking is to know that it’s close because it’s really easy to dismiss things that seem very far off, but it’s right here. As I’ve been planning this, some survivors of trafficking have contacted me and have told me their stories,” Bejarano said. “I’d really love to amplify their voices because you never know who will see the impact that you’re making or what life you’re touching.”
