Tables piled high with trays upon trays of food, the aroma wafting through the air, people were invited from near and far to join in the Latinx Fiesta, held in the Tappan cafeteria on Friday, Nov. 21. The club received donations from businesses such as Tasca, and the fiesta had food from restaurants such as Anna’s Taqueria, Tasca, Barcelona, Sol Azteca, Bartaco, Pizza Spa and Taberna de Haro. Attendees danced salsa, played musical chairs and partook in a blindfolded taste-test game.
French teacher Allison Kerr attended to support her colleagues and the work the Latinx Club put into organizing the event. She said that events like this fiesta allow the broader school community to interact with a culture that they may not get a chance to get to know otherwise.
“I think in a situation like this, it’s a really great opportunity to celebrate cultural and community togetherness that the group has organized and created,” Kerr said. “I think it’s a cool way for them to present and celebrate in a way that invites others to come and join and participate.”
Sophomore and Latinx Club member Sofia Bhandari Cordoba said that cultural events bring people together, including those who are part of the Latinx community, but also those who do not always come to club meetings. She said that the Latinx Club is a place where unity is at the forefront.
“I’d tell people that want to join the club, even if you aren’t Latinx, feel free to join and bring friends because it’s more about a community and people have more in common than they think,” Bhandari Cordoba said. “I feel like our club is really friendly to people that might think that they’re outsiders. I’d really recommend that if you’re on the line about coming to club, you should definitely try it, even if it’s just for a day.”
Senior and club president Nico Liteplo said he works to make the Latinx Club a welcoming environment for all. This cohesiveness is important in the midst of a “heated political climate,” according to Liteplo.
“To me, the Latinx Club is somewhere where I can foster a space of inclusivity and allow students to talk about things that they might not get the chance to in other classes,” Liteplo said. “Since freshman year, I found this club to be a space where I’ve been able to connect with people, relax and also connect with my Latino heritage, which is something that I really don’t do outside of this club.”
Kerr said that while private club time in an affinity group is important, holding events for others who are not part of that community is also important in order to foster an inclusive environment.
“I think it’s really important in a school as big as this and with a community as diverse as this for people to have opportunities to be with people who understand their perspective and their experience more deeply than others,” Kerr said. “I think it’s a great opportunity, a great place to build community and also to support each other through good times and bad.”
