BC Hosts Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off Celebration

By Bakersfield College | 09/18/24

By Deanna Rea

Bakersfield College was proud to host the Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off on September 16th, 2024, in the Fireside Room and the Renegade Crossroads. With an audience of over one hundred students, staff, and faculty, BC kicked off a month of Hispanic Heritage Month festivities with a day of musical performances, delicious food, and engaging speeches!

The celebration opened with a heartwarming speech from BC’s president, Dr. Fliger, who spoke on the importance of cultural diversity within the BC community: “Culture is the lens through which we see the world,” says Dr. Fliger. Johnny Nieto, the program manager of Native American Student Support and Services, followed Dr. Fliger and mentioned how excited he was to share the history of Native American Culture. He encouraged other faculty members to share this history within their classrooms.

The opening performance featured Mariachi Mi Ciudad, accompanied by Folklorico Ritmo y Sabor de Bakersfield College. This beautiful display of musical talents and impressive vocals quickly brought the celebration to life as it caught the attention of passing students and encouraged audience members to sing along. The dancers delighted the audience with their elegant choreography and stunning, vibrantly colored attire.

Leonardo Ayala, the Assistant Director of the Office of Student Life and MC of the event, introduced the event’s keynote speaker: BC History professor, Olivia Garcia. She detailed the history of Hispanic Heritage Month and its various interpretations and meanings while emphasizing the importance of honoring Hispanic culture, history, and contributions.

After the opening performances, the Fireside Room opened to all attendees for a “Taste of Hispanic Culture” appetizer bar, which featured signature dishes from around the world: from pupusas representing El Salvador to churros evolved in Spain. The appetizers were delicious and proved to be the perfect treat in between the day’s performances.

The Kick-Off event came to a close with a bang, featuring one final performance from Aztec dancers, Calpulli Ollincan Yolotl, and closing remarks from Manuel Rosas, Bakersfield College’s EOPS Counselor. The Aztec dance performance captivated the audience with the ground-shaking beat of their drums and intricate dance moves, leaving the audience buzzing for the remainder of the event. Following the performance, Manuel Rosas expressed gratitude to everyone who participated in the event and to everyone who attended throughout the day. He also encouraged all students to take advantage of the different initiatives and programs offered at BC.

For more images from the Hispanic Heritage Kick-Off Celebration, please visit the online gallery provided by the Marketing & Public Relations department at BC.