TCC The Collegian, September 21, 2022

Mercado en Sureste - A festival with salsa, lotería and Hispanic heritage Page 4

Wednesday, September 21, 2022 – Volume 36 • Issue 5

@tccthecollegian • collegian.tccd.edu

DISTRICT

TCC board approves tax rate after hearing ALEX HOBEN

editor-in-chief alexandra.hoben@my.tccd.edu

A tax rate increase was approved by the TCC board of trustees despite calls against it from concerned Tarrant County residents.

Before the Sept. 15 board meeting, a public hearing was held regarding the rate that was approved during the Aug. 18 meeting for a final vote. This vote was held after the hearing closed and was passed unanimously among the trustees in attendance. Trustee Shannon Wood was absent from the meeting, but she opposed the rate during the previous meeting.

Eighteen people, including Colleyville councilman George Dodson and previous councilwoman Tammy Nakamura, spoke during the hearing all against the approval of the tax rate. Denise Linn, a Tarrant County resident, spoke to the board regarding the rate.

“Personally I’m offended that you would even consider raising taxes right now,” she said. “I feel like this is another example of government totally losing touch with the constituents. I’m a constituent and I’m here to say now is not a time for tax increases and I don’t care what kind of building or planning you have in place, you’re making a very, very bad decision.”

The property tax rate approved is the same as last year’s rate at $0.13017 per $100 of assessed property value. However, due to Tarrant County property values going up, property tax bills have increased.

Trustee Kenneth Barr also spoke about the tax rate and what he believes it will mean for the fu-

Alex Hoben/The Collegian

Trustee Kenneth Barr makes comments about the tax rate at the board meeting on Thursday Sept. 15, 2022. ture of the TCC community.

“We’ve heard a lot of people expressing concern tonight and I think the board has listened and the board hears what’s being said,” Barr said. “But I also just ran some numbers sitting here. The no-newrevenue [figure] that we are proposing, keeping the tax rate at the same level, does result in more revenue on a piece of residential prop-

erty, worth $200,000. It’s $18.98 a year. That’s 5.2 pennies a day.

On a $250,000 house is $23.72 a year, or six and a half cents a day.

A million-dollar house, it’s less than $95 a year or about a quarter, $.25 a day. Given the stories we’ve heard here tonight, about how lives are being impacted by what we’re doing at TCC, I think that’s a pretty good buy.”

He said how he joined the board on behalf of the employment in the community, and TCC has done much to help in the building of a skilled workforce in Tarrant County. He also said how the language that the Texas Legislature has adopted to describe tax rates is unfortunate because it says that the tax rate is being increased when it isn’t.

Barr went on to say how they

are trying to pull in more young people into enrollment so they can get a better education and build a successful future for themselves and their families for years to come. “ We ’ r e m a k i n g c a r e e r s for people,” Barr said. “And the thought that a nickel or a dime a day is more important, that cutting the tax rate is more important, than educating See Meeting, page 2

NORTHEAST

SOUTHEAST

20 years of counseling TCC

Wonder Woman’s suffrage film on display

ALEX HOBEN

editor-in-chief alexandra.hoben@my.tccd.edu

Decades after most retire, NE counselor Wilton “Bill” Fowler gets up, puts his work clothes on and drives into TCC every morning because of how dedicated he is to the students.

Born in Nacogdoches, TX in 1927, Fowler has lived in the state for his whole life and has worked in education for most of it. Starting as a high school English teacher at Big Sandy high school in 1949, he has spent the past seven decades teaching and working with students across the state. Finally ending up at TCC for the past 20 years in the advising and counseling center talking with students.

Despite being a decade into his retirement, when the job was mentioned to him Fowler, then 75, jumped at the opportunity to be working again.

“Well I was retired for 10 years – I got about all that I wanted,” he said. “I had not thought about it while I was retired, going back to work, until they contacted me.”

Fowler says the main motivation for his job is the students and he hopes that the work he does through his meetings helps them and their success at the schools.

“The students are the joy of my life,” Fowler said. “I enjoy being with them and helping them, doing what I can to assist them, whatever their needs are. They’re fine young people, and to think that I’ve had the opportunity to be with them and, and see them and enjoy the conversations that we’ve had and all this it helps me probably more than it does them.”

Fowler is known by some of his fellow staff members as a kind and understanding man, with an unwavering dedication to not only his job but also the students he works with.

HOPE SMITH

campus editor hope.smith393@my.tccd.edu

Alex Hoben/The Collegian

Having served at TCC for 20 years, Wilton Fowler enjoys coming in to work each day to give his all.

NE director of counseling Condoa Parrent, Fowler’s supervisor, has worked with him for close to 12 years and describes Fowler as a man of honor committed to his word.

“I have never met anyone who is more committed and dedicated to his position,” Parrent says. “He never misses work and even comes in for any staff meetings or training that is scheduled on his days off – his work ethic is comparable to none.”

NE assistant director of counseling and advising Ronda Isaacs says an important aspect of Fowler is his care to those around him.

“He is so kind and understanding. I hear him as he is talking with students and love how he encourages students,” Isaacs said. “His kind-

ness and knowledge affect change in those he talks with - think of the Ripple Effect of how his words help and change this life, who goes on to help and change the life of another, who helps another etc. I would guess there is no way to adequately measure how Dr. Fowler has helped the community.”

Fowler celebrated his 95th birthday on Sept. 18 and says he will continue to work with TCC as long as he’s able to and will continue to serve students and the community.

“I just enjoy being with the students,” he said. “If I can help them, it’s a joy to me and hopefully it’s something for them as well. So it is good to be able to know that you’re helping somebody.”

TCC students and staff gathered to watch Wonder Woman unfold under layers of women’s suffrage through the years in the documentary “Wonder Woman!

The Untold Story of American Superheroines”.

As one of 25 libraries to receive the Women’s Suffrage Grant from the American Library Association and the National Endowment for the Humanities, SE Campus assistant director of library services Tracy Robinson and public services librarian Anna Hithersay showcased “Wonder Woman! The Untold Story of American Superheroines” on Sept. 14.

“We put this program together to get a little bit of a broader picture of empowerment, so not just focusing on politics but also focusing how women are portrayed in media as well.” Robinson said.

Both women who organized the event placed a special emphasis on students learning and thinking about consequences of media

depicting women in certain lights.

Wonder Woman’s face was the documentary’s main focus. An ode towards her legacy, it centered on how years of women’s suffrage circled around the heroine and how her character changed throughout history in accordance to how the media wanted her to be depicted.

“As soon as I saw the topic I said ‘well, we have to come,’” SE Spanish teacher Oksana Menirovski said. “Well I’m very excited, and I was always interested in how our role as women has changed, What we are now and how it used to be, what we should do, actually, to move ahead as well, because we still have lots to do.”

Hithersay wanted the attendees to really connect with what’s being portrayed in the documentary, then to have a comprehensive discussion about what they saw and what their experiences have been with empowerment and the portrayal of women in the media.

She highlighted this when she introduced the documentary.

To get the audience thinking, Robinson asked the audience questions about how the media views female politicians, how women are See Wonder Woman, page 2

Joel Solis/The Collegian

SE students Sydney Shelley and Michael Castillo watch the Wonder Woman suffrage documentary in the ESED building.

2 • Wednesday, September 21, 2022 MUSIC REVIEW

Yungblud’s new album strikes emotional chord ALEX HOBEN

editor-in-chief alexandra.hoben@my.tccd.edu

Yungblud’s new album is a heart-wrenching, moving and all-around emotional rollercoaster that somehow has some of the most upbeat melodies that I’ve heard.

YUNGBLUD was released on Sept. 2 and is a great musical experience the whole way through. The variety that he provided with these tracks while still being able to tie them together through his voice shows he’s willing to experiment while keeping consistency.

As the naming convention suggests, this album is a deep dive into Yungblud’s life and internal struggles. It feels like this is him trying to show the scars that he’s earned with the beautiful decoration of the songs to try and make up for the trauma that lingers from these experiences.

He has a particular singing style that, while it does edge into the typical ‘indie-trilling’ now and again, is raw and makes it seem like you’re listening in to a live session. It’s mainly in the rasp of his vocals in melody changes and the moments where he is able to scream melodically.

This rougher way of singing was perfect for this album considering the incredibly depressing and emotional messages behind each song. This album tries to explain the slippery slope that comes with growing up and figuring out your identity and how easy it is to slip and find yourself in a pit of self-pity and rage.

He talks about his sexuality, masculinity, gender identity and even suicide in this album.

This is obviously a way to show his true self

Wonder Woman viewed in their passions and how strong women depicted in media are almost never alone themselves with strength, sometimes put in a sexual light, which is something she encouraged the audience to be thinking about as the documentary played.

The documentary included both modern-day and historical figures who were women.

“I saw a lot of young generation in the movie,” enrollment associate Vivian Lu said.

through his craft and the quality of the music provided will pull you in, especially if you enjoy alternative pop punk-type beats.

Despite the dark themes covered, some of the songs actually have an upbeat tempo and harmonies that help the harsh messages go down easier. “The Funeral” and “Tissues” are the best examples of this and start the album off strong.

“Memories’’ is probably the best song on this album. It features Willow Smith and this is a collaboration that was a match made in heaven. The way Yungblud’s voice mixed with Willow’s in both melodies and tone was amazing.

Where Yungblud is emotional and melodic, Willow is powerful and angry and it makes you want to listen to it over and over to hear the change. Also, the grungy filters that were put onto the vocals of this song made a great contrast to the heavy acoustic guitars in the forefront of the chorus.

The way the songs flow from one to the next is interesting because it starts strong and hard-hitting in terms of tempos and intensity with “The Funeral”, singing about dancing at your own funeral. But then it feels like with every song that passes there’s more emphasis being put on his voice and its importance to the songs.

Ending with “Die For A Night” and “The Boy In The Black Dress” which are mixed so the lyrics and their message are the most important thing in the songs.

“Die For A Night” has barely any instrumentals and instead is an up close and personal look into his experience with suicidal thoughts.

He uses mainly acoustics and guitars as well as background noise to pull you in and try to understand the haze that his mind fights with

Photo courtesy of Interscope Records

YUNGBLUD is Yungblud’s latest album diving into his identity and conflicts. The album released Sept. 2 and includes 12 songs. when having these terrible thoughts.

“The Boy In The Black Dress” deals with his own identity issues and how much he struggled internally to understand himself and the world around him. The lyrics describe snippets from a young boy’s life where his views on the world are challenged and how it weighed on him. Listening to it, it’s easy to remember just how poisonous masculinity can be.

This album shows you the deepest part of

Yungblud’s struggles with himself. The way these songs are able to not only paint pictures of the pain he’s gone through but in a way that you can still sing along while driving is pretty great. If you have some pain you want to get out of, I highly recommend putting this on, there’s something for everyone to relate to.

Maxie-Funk also added that she wished there were other women who she thought should have been added. She named Maya Angela, Aretha Franklin and Barbra Jordan, as well as other women of ethnic and cultural groups.

“Nobody ever sees what a woman actually does until you take her out of the home.” She also added thoughtfully.

“I think that the characters that we get out of books can be more well rounded and

indicative of complex femininity and not just the male gaze,” Hithersay said, and added that she thought it would be interesting to have a similar film that looked more into the topic.

“I’m hoping the students learn more about how women are portrayed in media, and kind of learn how to decipher some of those images and I hope find heroes of their own in women who inspire them.” Robinson said.

(continued from page 1) “Which gives us a little hope, because you know, young people always represent the future. And I realize the young generation can carry this on, continue this thing that women should be a part of it.”

SE student LaYana Maxie-Funck said “It gave a thorough point of view of the women’s suffrage, from the point of view of back in the day up until the time frame–so to speak–hopefully there’s a part two, since it only went to a certain era.”

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these people I find very offensive. I think we’re doing the right thing.”

After the approval, Linn expressed her frustration with the board, specifically with Barr’s final comments.

“I’m just really disgusted with the way this all went down,” she said. “And the last board member who was speaking about, saying that there was no tax increase when it appears to me that that’s exactly what happened.”

She said how she was offended by the principal and believes that the board should be spending more carefully.

“I don’t care if it’s a nickel a day. It’s not his nickel,” Linn said.

Leota Ritchie, a landowner in Tarrant County, said because she’s never raised the rent of her tenant of 19 years, she and her husband have had to cut into their own retirement savings to pay for rising taxes.

“Usually $2,000-2,500 every year to pay taxes and that affects our future,” Ritchie said.

Burleson resident Al Ebert said he has had to delay his retirement because of the current economy and hopes that Texas will one day adopt a consumption tax.

“We end up paying rent to taxing authorities for a property that we own,” Ebert said.

During the meeting, board president Teresa Ayala shared a few comments before the vote was held.

“We are being fiscally prudent to ensure

that we are balancing our ability to take care of our built environment, and to attract and retain a quality workforce and most importantly to meet the needs of the community and the economy,” Ayala said.

Another item approved was a facility lease agreement with Fort Worth ISD for the new early college high school on NW Campus.

This agreement will bring in a total revenue of $11.2 million over a 30-year period starting in June 2026. Chief operating officer Susan Alanis spoke on how the relationship with the high school began.

“This particular partnership with Fort Worth ISD began more than four years ago when the college began planning for the redevelopment of the NW Campus,” Alanis said.

“You may recall last week we talked about that our first early college high school was actually on that campus and is named, I believe, one of the best high schools in Tarrant County at this point and it’s been a successful partnership.”

Also, after a correction, the employee pay increase and the salary schedule was approved.

Barr made a comment regarding the specifics of the agenda item.

“I don’t think I heard you say but I think it’s very important,” he said. “This ratifies the rate of $15 an hour for student employees and I think that’s significant.”

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Alex Hoben/The Collegian

Acting chancellor Elva LeBlanc speaks at the Sept. board meeting.

Wednesday, September 21, 2022 • 3 EDITORIAL

Technology trends are getting out of hand The possibilities for the future of technology increase by the day, but recently the focus hasn’t been in the right place.

In the past decade alone, machines have made leaps and bounds of improvement. The internet and the plethora of inventions aimed at advancement have made day-today life incredibly easy, but lately, it feels like recent tech has gone off the rails a bit.

The further it advances, the more questions are raised about what all this progress is for and where it will leave us. The main example of this is shown in the current smartphone industry. Just recently, they unveiled the newest in the lineup, the iPhone 14, which has virtually no difference from the previous iteration except in the camera.

Why are companies so determined to sell us the same thing over and over again?

Obviously, so they can make money. Because it’s always the announcements of shiny new phones that grab headlines and wallets since it’s something we all need in this new technologically-driven world.

Civilization has dug its own grave with its relationship and dependence on technology, and now with just this example, we are seeing how much of a grip it has on us.

The internet, specifically social media, is ingrained into our everyday life due to its efficiency and ease of access. Any information needed can be found within seconds, you can contact anyone with a few keystrokes and apps can be scrolled on for hours before you realize how much time you’ve lost.

Tj Favela/The Collegian

This way of interacting with online spaces has become a necessary evil, but it’s worrying to realize how much of the average person’s day is spent online either for entertainment or for work compared to even 10 years ago, especially when you consider the rise of artificial intelligence-generated content.

AI has become a common

aspect of technology today, especially in the realms of automation and productivity. From the predictive text when you’re writing an email or the very basic forms of it in the chat rooms on some websites when you require assistance, AI can help by giving information quickly during potential crisis situations at times when humans wouldn’t be available.

What is scary about AI is the endless possibilities and potential dangers. Predictive text is helpful and all but when considering how the algorithm could tell what you were thinking even before you start typing is grating and feels invasive the more it happens. Also, it hasn’t been fully explained how far these programs can evolve and how they would affect

humanity since it’s still relatively new technology.

Do we have to prepare for the takeover of the sentient machines?

Of course not, at least not yet.

AI has barely even scratched the surface of what humans are capable of, but it’s started to break into the world of creativity. One of the main trends with machine-made content is the rise of images and designs being generated from code-based applications following a prompt. A major example of this was when an AI-generated piece of work won the Colorado State Fair art competition.

This popularization of this sort of work has become an insult to many working in the art field. Seeing these generated pieces being sold for so much money and completely computer generated is an incredible insult to the hard work and hours that they’ve put into their pieces. The lines between what humans can do and originality have been blurred for the easy route of instant gratification.

Instead of trying to take away the outlets that humans already have covered, the next innovations should focus more on the way society can be improved in the long term. Instead of making a new phone every year with no difference, buckle down on bio-medical engineering and its advancement. Instead of trying to find ways to distract kids with social media, focus on strengthening our sustainability and infrastructure for future generations to come.

Technology has made so much progress and yet it’s reached a point where it’s more important to stick to the status quo for more money than it is to improve our future.

VIEWPOINTS

Are rising TikTok celebrities legitimate? Is fame worth it all?

NINA BANKS reporter

collegian.editor@tccd.edu

Ask any kid from the 90s to early 2000s and I bet that they wanted to draw Mickey Mouse’s ears in an ad break on TV. Fame to a 6-year-old me was an impenetrable wall separating me from the far and few child prodigies and Hollywood starlets.

12 years later, that wall is a chain link fence.

In an age of social media, the ability to reach fame is now in your pocket. Rather than the traditional process of auditions, callbacks and castings, a 15 second snippet of a dance or thirst trap can earn fame that some work a lifetime to achieve.

Fame acquired through social media has transferred to Hollywood. Influencers are now glorified C-list celebrities. Their large followings attract businesses attention for advertising, thus influencers can be seen at many typically A-list events. The current one being New York Fashion Week.

The presence of influencers at events such as NYFW has caused lots of online discourse, much of which I can understand. As a fashion enthusiast myself, to see influencers that don’t participate in the fashion community, besides the occasional fast fashion sponsorship here and there, is quite disheartening to see.

This begs several questions, most compelling to me, is if the accessibility of fame

Public libraries should have more diversity in their displays

is positive? My own jealousy would argue no, but I recognize the definite positives of influencers entering the celebrity realm. In some cases, earning acclaim through social media can be easier than the traditional way of agents and castings.

This means people of color or members of the LGBTQ+ community that may be typecasted into specific roles and/or having harder difficulty booking roles may find social media as a way to reach more people. Effectively creating representation in a notoriously lacking space.

Dylan Mulvaney makes TikToks sharing her transition and walking in NYFW. Transgender models have only recently been able to participate in the modeling industry. Mulvaney’s inclusion gives the transgender community the ability to see themselves in an industry that has been infamous for its lack thereof.

With Hollywood’s roots in white supremacy, misogyny and homophobia and other various systems of oppression, social media is a viable option to alleviate this issue.

The lack of formality of Tik Tok has translated into less effort to go viral. Hence why a 10 second dancing video can get you the acclaim YouTubers put into 30 minute videos. The debate of whether Tik Tok fame is legitimate is being put into question.

Many influencers now are being thrust into the limelight, however these are people who are perhaps not familiar with the world of traditional entertainment. Companies would rather the attraction from a stunt casting, than a newcomer that has been trained and specializes in the industry.

The accessibility to fame is a double edged sword. Representation in historically white, straight and cisgender spaces is important, but perhaps prioritizing attention over talent is now a genuine problem we must face.

IRENE DOMINGUEZ campus editor

irene.dominguez370@my.tccd.edu

The atmosphere of walking into a public library is not as inclusive as it should be.

Another week and another display table is put together and approved by management at the library. Oh look, it’s a basic American holiday or event that everyone knows about.

Where is the diversity?

The DFW area has seen tremendous growth in recent years and is one of the most diverse metroplexes in the nation. But in the public library the tables stay basic. People from all walks of life should feel seen when they walk into their neighborhood library.

The library is a place where people can go to learn about areas and people from all over the world and the tables should reflect this goal. The purpose of every neighborhood having a library is to serve and reflect the community around it. This includes every person with no exceptions. So why does it not seem that way?

With more people moving into Texas every single day there are more opportunities to champion inclusivity. So why not start with a simple display or poster to truly illustrate the different ways of life around us?

Unfortunately, rampant discrimination has created so many negative situations for people in our community and this is an opportunity to counteract that hate.

There is also the issue of book banning that is affecting libraries everywhere at the moment. Some books that have been pulled from shelves are those centering on LGBT groups. I think showing visible support for these communities is important because we need everyone to be seen.

One reason people ban books is because they are afraid of anyone different from them.

What they fail to realize is that these unique people make up their neighbors and friends.

They just lack representation in spaces like libraries.

The mission of the library is to promote access to information for all so the atmosphere itself should be welcoming for all.

I do not think that allowing people to get comfortable with being close minded is the right thing to do. In fact it can be dangerous. It tells certain people that they are more important than and valued in society than other people around them. This could lead to certain groups being stereotyped and discriminated against.

A small display on a table can seem like something so small but it can make an impact on someone’s day and their worldview. It can allow a person who might deal with issues of marginalization to be seen. What better place than a public library.

Instead of possibly contributing to people being divisive, the library could cultivate curiosity about the world around us.

No institution is perfect. There will be mistakes made in our efforts to be inclusive but there is no learning without mistakes.

The effort by management to make a more inclusive space for all at the library can benefit everyone.

Diversity is not just a buzzword that people can use to seem relevant. It is an entire mindset. Libraries need to do better and try harder.

Letter Policy The Collegian is a weekly student publication serving the Tarrant County College District. Editorial statements and advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the TCC administration.

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Staff

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alex Hoben

LEAD DESIGNER Hannah Seese

ILLUSTRATORS Tj Favela

PHOTO EDITOR Joel Solis

MANAGING EDITOR Rabbia Molai

DESIGN & WEBSITE Shelby Gatewood Amanda Tello

CAMPUS EDITOR Xavier Boatner Hope Smith Olla Mokhtar Irene Dominguez

PHOTOGRAPHERS Ariel Desantiago ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Nathan Hailu

Professional Staff ADVISER Chris Whitley PRODUCTION MANAGER Stacy Luecker

4 • Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Mercado En Sureste

A cultural market of Hispanic festivities

OLLA MOKHTAR

campus editor olla.mokhtar@my.tccd.edu

SE students explored new cultures and salsa danced their way through the Mercado Cultural event.

A partnership between the Intercultural Network and student activities on Sept. 15 created a day of activities including a salsa dancing class, lotería and the chance to taste a variety of foods. The program Encouraging Latinas to Lead, Achieve, Succeed, the psychology club and soccer club were present too.

To begin the event, there were a number of tables featuring different foods in the Hispanic culture including chips with salsa and queso, fresh produce, street tacos, elote, paletas and much more in the Main Commons.

Simultaneously, a student had the opportunity to play lotería, a Hispanic version of the game bingo and enter a drawing for a prize.

Coordinator of the intercultural student engagement Larry Jefferson was one of the organizers for the event.

Jefferson believed that it was important for students to attend the event for a variety of reasons including dismantling harmful stereotypes.

“Bringing out the awareness of being culturally competent and allowing students to be more culturally aware is a great reason for students to be a part of this.” Jefferson said.

Student development associate Frankie Ward also agreed that bringing awareness to the Hispanic culture is important.

“This helps students by bringing awareness to the Hispanic Culture,” said Ward. “It’s very important for students to be able to see and experience, and even learn from their peers. It gives students the opportunity to network with other students and experience students beyond their culture.”

Ward also elaborated on other aspects of the event, like food insecurity and how it relates to students being able to proceed through the day without worrying about food.

“You always throw in a little extra just to make sure, because a lot of students on our campus eat at 11 p.m.,” Ward said.

“Events that have cultural food or anything of that sort can help with food insecurity.”

Food and the game of lotería were SE student Hannah Williams’ favorite thing about the event. She had heard about it in her childhood and she had seen it for the first time in real life in Mercado Cultural.

“I really liked the food but what I liked the most was the bingo game. Something about it made me really excited, because I remember reading about those when I was younger but I never got a chance to see them in real life until then.” Williams

said.

Williams agrees with Jefferson as she discusses her opinion on ending hatred amongst different cultural communities.

“I think celebrating and knowing each other’s cultures is a large step to us ending all the hatred,” Williams said. “I feel like most hatred is fear and fear comes from us not being able to understand each other.”

To Hispanic SE student Makayla Salas it reminded her of El Paso, where she’s originally from.

“My favorite part was the food because it reminded me of back home and there is a lot of street food in that area that you don’t get here.” Salas recalls.

She also thought it was important to highlight other cultures.

“For other types of cultures, it would be really great, because other people only see aspects of another person’s culture on social media and not what it’s truly about.”

After playing lotería and grabbing a taste of some Hispanic food, the crowd moved to the North Ballroom where a salsa class was being taught by Claudia Orcasitas from the University of Texas at Arlington.

SE student Adetokunbo Azubike shares the same idea on celebrating other people’s culture, saying that it is very important for inclusivity.

“It’s very important for inclusiveness.

Culturally, it’s good to know who you are and know the people around you and you’ll be able to communicate effectively with the opposite culture.”

Azubike participated in the salsa class that was provided and said that it was her favorite part of the event.

“I loved salsa dancing and I was trying to do the different moves!” said Azubike as she imitated a salsa move that she had just learned.

There was food awarded to the people who learned the salsa dances and after the three hour event.

“Allowing students to be more aware of the Hispanic culture and to take advantage of events like this to know more about people that dont look like them is a great reason to be a part of this.” Jefferson said.

Jefferson said that he believed that the event was successful because students had the chance to engage in conversations with individuals from the Hispanic culture, learn about the different types of foods, and entertainment in a fun and educational atmosphere.

“Most of all it was nice to see other people explore things they wouldn’t taste or have on their own,” SE student Rene Salas said. “Having events like this in the future would be beneficial for other cultures as a way for people to increase their perspective on the world as a whole.”

Ariel Desantiago/The Collegian

SE students Christopher Munoz and Blue Woorlsy sharing a dance with each other.

Ariel Desantiago/The Collegian

SE student Momtazaar Muhammad pours hot sauce into a bag of chichurritos at the event.

Illustration by Tj Favela/The Collegian