Students share their culture, create connections

Drawn in by festive decorations and a variety of candy including Pelon Pelo Ricos, Duvalines, Pica Gomas and Paletas de Sandia, dozens of students visited the MEChA table during Club Rush. Approximately 30 student clubs gathered in Patriot Plaza on Friday, Aug. 30 during lunch. Sponsored by the Associated Student Body, different organizations used the Club Rush event to promote and encourage students to join. Among these organizations, Movimeinto Estudiantil Chicano de Azatlan, a club centered around hispanic culture, hoped to attract attention from students.

“We handed out candy. Mexican candy to be specific–I feel like it’s always good during these events, even if it may seem like a bribe. It’s something that identifies us. Nuestra cultura está llena de dulces mexicanos so it was important to have them as an addition to our table,” MEChA Adviser Stephanie Cazares said.

It was important to the members of MEChA to showcase Chicano culture through decor. To ensure they were prepared, club officers held three meetings prior to the event. At these meetings, they assigned the roles that each officer would play, ranging from decorating to organizing sign-ups. Those involved with decoration played an important role in representing the culture within the club. 

“Well, MEChA is about being culturally inclusive and being able to express nuestra cultura. So I think that was essential to make sure that was visible,” Cazares said.

At the center of MEChA’s Club Rush display were symbolic decorations that captured the attention of students. The table was decorated with Mexican treats, adhesive decals, and a MEChA sign, all displaying the rich heritage behind the club. Woven within these attractions were MEChA’s embroidered graduation stoles, an incentive for members. 

“Wearing the graduation stoles designed by the senior class–it isn’t just about celebrating graduation. It’s really about representing nuestra cultura,” Cazares said.

To MEChA members, the graduation stoles are a symbol of their community and Chicano culture. Current officers feel that joining this organization has helped them foster new relationships.   

“I think that it really brings in Chicano culture and creates a sense of unity,” Co-President, Azucena Cruz, 11, said. 

Contrary to popular belief, MEChA does not solely focus on hispanic identity. Rather, they hope to reach a variety of students, regardless of their ancestry. To do so, they coordinate accessible events throughout the school year, emphasizing unity during Hispanic Heritage month. 

“Hispanic Heritage Month is our biggest thing, and I feel like that’s the best way that we bring in culture and traditions for all students, regardless of their culture–we want everyone to feel included,” Cazares said.

Throughout this month, MEChA organizes weekly events. The plans for this year include playing Loteria, providing informative coloring pages, playing latin music, creating friendship bracelets, and their annual Noche de Fiesta event. 

“It’s interesting to see how MEChA helps students engage, learn, and stay in touch with their culture. I think that it will help me with that– staying in touch with my culture of course,” Alexandra Ambriz Guillen, 12, said.