A FIRST AMENDMENT PUBLICATION Woodland Hills, California
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Volume 141 - Issue 5
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Wednesday, October 9, 2024
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Celebrating Latino Heritage Month
Karla Delgado / Roundup News Music major Autumn Clark and biology major Karen Pacheco pick out candy at a display table during the Latino Heritage Celebration at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Oct. 7, 2024.
By Tim Lewis Reporter
U
pbeat music and feelings of family and community filled the Pierce College Library and Learning Crossroads as students and faculty gathered to celebrate Latino Heritage Month on Monday, Oct. 7. Financial Aid Outreach Coordinator Marisol Ramirez summed up the event, saying, “It’s a family thing, when we get together, we are family.” The 2022 census shows that Los Angeles County has the largest Latino population in the United States, making it more than likely that you’re bound to meet someone of Latino heritage. Ramirez shared why she
believes events like these and Latino Heritage Month are crucial. “At some point, anywhere in Los Angeles you’re going to meet someone that comes from a Latino background, so knowing a little bit more about our culture will help them know a little bit more,” Ramirez said. Participants took part in a few rounds of Loteria, which is a bingo-like game played with cards and pinto beans. The exhilarated shrieks of winners were met with candies as prizes, adding to the feeling of celebration. Diego Paez, an organizer of the event, explained why having the event was important. “To build a welcoming community for our Latinx
CAMPUS LIFE pg. 6
Meet Your Major Fair Karla Delgado / Roundup News
students on campus, the goal being to improve student retention for the population,” Paez. “We just provided extra support for students who come in, do homework and get connected to other resources on campus.” Paez also shared why he believes it’s important to recognize Latino Heritage Month. “There are so many other countries and different people, it’s also cross-cultural,” Paez said. “It’s mostly about identity and culture to make these students feel like they’re seen.” The Library and Learning Crossroads serves as a place of assistance and community to those who enter. Beyond the Latino Heritage Month celebration, the LLC is home
to the Associated Student involved and be involved.” Organization and varying clubs Sandoval said events like these and organizations that fit a remind him how it’s important it variety of interests. is to share cultures across races Darcy Corwin, the Basic Needs and ethnicities. Program Lead at Pierce, explained “I studied Chicano Studies a how the center aims to provide bit, and what it means to me is resources to undocumented that everyone should get together students, access to financial aid, no matter what race you are,” scholarships and legal assistance Sandoval said. “I grew up in Los to help students get on the path Angeles, so Latino to me means towards citizenship. Corwin said Mexican, Black, Salvadoran, she loves hosting events like this Houndorian, Japanese even, too.” at the center. “I love when students come in and are shy at first and eventually see themselves in this, where they originally wouldn’t or be affiliated with but then realize, ‘Hey maybe I can contribute to a group that is different from me,’” Corwin said. “And they’re now a part of a community they never managed themselves to be in.” Eric Sandoval, a Business Administration student at Pierce, shared how he heard of the event and why he decided to take part in the festivities. “ T h e notification on my phone let me know that this was Kenneth Chan / Roundup News going down at the Pinto beans placed on a loteria board during school,” Sandoval the Latino Heritage Celebration at Pierce Colsaid. “I’m always at every event lege in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Oct. 7, 2024. no matter what it is, I like to stay
PHOTO ESSAY pg. 7 Spooky season at Pierce
Marzia Rankin / Roundup News
SPORTS
pg. 8 Pierce football beats Victor Valley Hanna Vandergugten / Roundup News