The North and Broussard Hall Community Council held its first event of the year on Oct. 12: a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month held in Broussard Hall.
Hispanic Heritage Month started Sept. 15 and ended Oct. 15. The month is a celebration of Hispanic history and culture. It began in 1968 when President Lyndon B. Johnson established it as a week-long celebration and eventually evolved into a full month in the ’80s.
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The goal of Hispanic Heritage Month isn’t only to highlight the beauty of Hispanic culture but to also remember the struggles of Hispanic people and ways they’ve have changed the world.
As residents of both halls, ‘NOBROs’ as they’re colloquially referred to, arrived, they were greeted by a wave of Hispanic culture. Music from singers like Mon Laferte, Bad Bunny, Celia Cruz and Selena played throughout the halls as the flags of Hispanic countries lined the walls and hung from the ceiling. If residents were early enough, they may have been greeted by Charlie the Dog, the beloved dog of North and Broussard Hall.
“We chose our first event to bring attention to the Hispanic community, building what we hope to become an inclusive and diverse community,” said Aaron Holly, Biochemistry major and NOBRO community council vice-president. “We wanted our event to be laid back to create an atmosphere where simple conversations could take place among residents, not only allowing them to meet the community council but one another as well. We set the tone with our first event holding over one-fifth of the community’s residents.”
Empanadas, chicken and beef tacos, granadas catrachas and more from Los Alvarez, a Latin restaurant in Baton Rouge, were served—all while residents played football and pool and danced to music.
Psychology major and NOBRO Community President Taylor Williams said her favorite part was the Kahoot.
“The residents got super competitive, and it was nice to see everyone together having fun,” Williams said.
A point of emphasis from the NOBRO community council was that it wanted to make sure the event was celebrating and educating at the same time. For instance, the Kahoot quizzed residents on their knowledge of Hispanic Heritage Month and their knowledge of Hispanic history, figures and countries. To make sure the learning didn’t stop at the event, the council gave out flyers on Hispanic culture and history throughout the night.
“It went great,” Williams said. “We have a few small details to work out, but overall, it was amazing. Meeting the residents and seeing everyone enjoy themselves made the event better than I could imagine.”
LSU students meet the famous Charlie the Dog on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, in Broussard Hall in Baton Rouge, La.
