Fitchburg State Commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month With First-Ever Flag Raising Ceremony
Antoinette Enyim
Staff Reporter
September 17, 2024
Fitchburg State University marked the start of Hispanic Heritage Month’s first-ever flag-raising ceremony, celebrating Latino culture and societal contributions. The holiday which runs from September 15 to October 15, celebrates prominent Hispanic Americans. The flag is displayed between Hammond Hall and the alumni quad, symbolizing the contributions of Latino communities to the university and society. The opening ceremony took place on September 16, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
“It was a little nerve-wracking at first, formally introducing everyone, but we are happy to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month and officially start our festivals this month, ” said Krysta Lopez-Acevedo, acting director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusivity (CDI) office at Fitchburg State University.
“I am happy to have the flag here. I believe it is the first one, and it looks great showcased up there. Many people tend to cluster Hispanic and Latino people together as one culture, when in reality, there is a lot of diversity among different countries and regions. I am glad that we are raising awareness about this,” said Destiny Zayas, graduate assistant for the Center of Diversity and Inclusiveness.
The event was organized by the Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) committee and members of the CDI. It welcomed attendees with music before sharing insights on Latino culture and its significant impact on society today. Attendees gathered to witness the flag-raising, an event that several participants described as unifying.
The event showcased the contributions of Latinos and Hispanics from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing their perseverance through complex challenges and representing different parts of their countries, such as Peru, Colombia, Spain, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and more.
“I think Fitchburg State is emerging just as our new President, Dr. Donna Hodge, has started focusing on making us a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). I believe this effort starts from the groundwork here at Fitchburg State, so it’s important to recognize the significance of promoting this cause. We are striving to become an HSI, not only focusing on Hispanics in the area, but also on promoting diversity here at the school. I think it’s really important. Being a Latina, sometimes I feel that our culture and history aren’t valued or recognized as much. So, it’s nice to have this month here at Fitchburg State to naturally learn about different Latino roots and Hispanic cultures throughout,” said Lopez-Acevedo.