Midland College celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 to pay its respects to the contributions and achievements of Hispanic Americans.
"Hispanic Heritage Month shows diversity, shows barriers, shows potential for success," Jaime Aguila, Midland College history professor, told News West 9. "It is not only to understand where you came from, but your responsibility to society."
The celebration dates back to 1968, according to the station. This year, faculty, staff, and students recorded video testimonials for the celebration, which is organized in collaboration with Midland College Student Activities and the Midland College Equity Committee.
"The goal of this year's celebration is to usher a sense of belonging for Hispanic students, faculty, and staff at MC," said Taneekwa Hurdle, MC Student Activities Coordinator and member of the MC Equity Committee, in a Midland press release. "Every one of these participants was excited about this project. We all have a lot to learn from their genuine responses, and we thank them for sharing pictures and stories of their Hispanic ancestry."
This celebration aims to honor the culture, heritage, and history of Latino and Hispanic Americans.
"I think Hispanic Heritage Month can spur us to make better choices and do the right things so we can help the younger generations," Idajean Curiel, MC Academic Advisor, said in the releas.
Aguila believes the celebration motivates others of the culture to break all barriers and also instills in them a sense of where they come from and respect towards their own history.