The Associated Students of Rio Hondo College (ASRHC) helped celebrate Latino Heritage Month by encouraging Rio Hondo College students and staff members to attend events and help support Chicano heritage.

The Kick-off Events for Latino Heritage Month occurred on Sept. 19 and 20 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Middle Quad. Both events were full of entertainment and knowledge about the beautiful Chicano/Latino cultures. There was also music, candies, bookmarks, and cultural dance performances.

Film Screenings for Chicano Heritage Month happened on Sept. 25 and 26 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Student Union Building, SU 201. They showed Innocent Voices on Sept. 25 and showed Under the Same Moon on Sept. 26. Both of these films were considered empowering and free popcorn was served during the screenings.

There was a a Chicano/Latino Struggle for Educational Access & Equity Panel Discussion on Oct. 4 from 1 p.m. to 3p.m. in the Student Lounge, SU 201. The presentation and panel discussion featured three long tenured faculty members, two from other campuses and one from Rio Hondo, talking about the legal challenges to educational segregation and opportunities of  Chicano/Latino students and how their struggles relate to the current state of public education.

There was a great turnout for each of the events of Latino/Chicano Heritage Month and the main reason for all the support and appreciation is all thanks to the effort of the Senator of Cultural Diversity, Joanna Ruiz, who helped put this all together.