On Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 7 p.m. students gathered at Downs Hall for a night of food and fun to celebrate their heritage and show community with Kean’s Latin and Hispanic community for Hispanic Heritage Month.
The line into the event stretched far past Downs Hall’s doors, students were eager and excited to represent their heritage coming in groups to join in on the wait and ready for what the night had in store.
Kean Pulse lit up the night with colorful lights and classic songs. Students were provided tickets for food and dessert and a small checklist for the four different stations that were presented. There was a Jewelry station, Grab Your Flag station, Spin for a Fun Fact and Loteria station. Attendees were allowed to go to any station of their choice, in exchange for a pass for food and dessert.
“My favorite food [from my country]? Encebollado,” said Joselyn Monotoa, a first-year Biology Health Professions major from Ecuador. “It’s just good.”
Food is the way to the heart, and once students got it in their system, the party truly picked up. Popular Latin and Hispanic foods such as nachos, burritos and tacos all with chicken, beef and veggie options, desserts like fran, tres leche, and churros and snacks like dried watermelon and mango with sauce. What better way to celebrate your culture than with a good dish?
“[My favorite dish is} mangú and salami,” said Katianna Perez, a first-year Psychology major representing the Dominican Republic. “I just really like how my mom makes it.”
Sadly, there weren’t any dishes like mangu and encebollado made by someone's grandma or mom, but students enjoyed it so much that the hot food table had to be refilled thrice.
“Oh my God, sancocho is the best thing ever … my grandma used to make it a lot, it was one of the first things she learned how to cook,” said Leandro Cuevas, a second-year education major also representing the Dominican Republic.
And after a wonderful performance by New Jersey Salsa full of groovy beats and swaying hips, students gravitated to the dance floor. Although no Spanish guitar or bongos was being played in person, the DJ played popular songs like La Boda by Aventura and Los Cabareces by El Rubio Acordeón which incorporated Latin instruments that made the most contagious beats, getting more students involved in the party on the dance floor. There was bachata, salsa, and a conga line and the event wrapped up with the macarena.
“My favorite part [of Hispanic Heritage Month] is that I can remember where I come from. I feel so proud to be here representing my culture and sharing it with the people here on campus,” added Cuevas.
It was truly an event for the books, students waved their flags in the air as they enjoyed the music and fellowship. Kean Pulse’s Noche Latina proves that finding your community produces a good time.
“I love the food, I love the people and I love the cultures,” said Aaliyah Roseme-Hamilton, an exercise science major with a minor in public health. “We know how to have a good time.
