Remembering Their Roots
Luis Armenta, Organizations and Diversity VP for the Utah State University Student Association, is the only Hispanic member of the USUSA Executive Council.
“My dad’s family originated from Mexico and my mom’s family is from Puerto Rico,” Armenta said.
Both cultures, he said, have influenced his life whether it be love for playing soccer or his appetite for spicy foods, but it isn’t the only thing that defines him.
“I love America and I love being Hispanic and the Hispanic culture as well,” Armenta said. “It’s weird though because I have this unique identity where I’m American but I can relate to Hispanics as well, and I don’t always realize that until I look in a mirror or start talking to a friend about spicy food or how our parents always yell at us in Spanish where I am really reminded about how I also have that unique Hispanic part of me.”
As Diversity VP on campus, this sort of heritage and unique identity helps Armenta relate to all cultures on campus and drive him to help them get the representation they deserve.
“The Hispanic culture is definitely an under-represented group on campus and I really want to change that,” Armenta said. “If anything, I’d like to see more appreciation for the Hispanic culture, and all other cultures at that, on campus.”
Alex Aburto is the traditions director for the Student Traditions, Activities and Arts Board, also a part of USUSA. He is the next highest-ranking Hispanic in student government. Aburto got in touch with his roots at USU by joining and becoming the president of the Latino Student Union.
“When I was a freshman I was worried about not finding my people and culture so one of the first things I did was look into the Latino Student Union and that’s something that has helped me embrace my culture on campus,” Aburto said. “I’m originally from Kimberly, Idaho. My parents are both from Mexico … since both of my parents are from Mexico, I normally classify myself as Mexican.”
Growing up with this sort of heritage was also unique for Aburto.
“Spanish was my first tongue that I spoke,” Aburto said. “I started learning English when I was four or five. I went to kindergarten in Mexico until my parents decided to move back to America.”
The Hispanic culture never left Aburto though.
“I’m very proud of my culture and all it embraces … I love the music. I love the language, and I love that there is such a big diversity within the Latino culture.”
The enormity of the diversity in Hispanic culture is hard to understand for many people who have not been a part of the culture, though.
“I think a lot of times people have this vision, especially here, that Hispanic or Latino culture just focuses on Mexico but it doesn’t,” Aburto said. “There’s Mexico, Central America, South America, Spain, it goes on and on. That’s what I love about being Hispanic — there is such a big diversity in each country.”
The Latino Student Union is a group on campus that is part of Access and Diversity, and will be putting on Fiesta Americas, an event sharing the variety of Hispanic culture, which will take place on Jan. 16.
For now, students will get the chance experience all cultures at USU with Diversity Week, which runs from Oct. 25 to 30. Although nothing is set in stone, it will hopefully include international art, a cross-dressing bingo, a global dessert night and performances put on by all-student diversity clubs.
For Armenta, Hispanic Heritage month, which just ended Oct. 15, is just the beginning for USU.
“Hispanic Heritage month is a great opportunity for Hispanic students to touch back with their roots,” Armenta said, “and I’m hoping will give USU a chance both now an in the future to learn more about the Hispanic culture.”
For more information from Access and Diversity, visit: usu.edu/accesscenter. To learn more about LSU, council members and activities, visit: usu.edu/accesscenter/clubs/lsu.cfm.