Students gathered on 7th Street Plaza to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day on Monday.
San José State’s Associated Students and Student Union Inc. hosted El Festival de la Independencia for the first time.
The event focused on uniting the Hispanic and Chicano/a community as well as bringing appreciation to its culture, and providing students with organizations that work to uplift and support Hispanic students at SJSU, according to the SJSU webpage.
At the event, students lined up to check in with the Sammy App where attendees could redeem tickets for food.
These food items included a variety of pan dulce, or sweet bread such as conchas, empanadas and orejas just to name a few.
Accompanied with the pan dulce, students were also given hot chocolate to enjoy.
The event also included a catered food truck, Taquizas Gabriel, where students were able to get free tacos of different types such as chicken, pastor, asada, salsa and a variety of toppings.
Dora Barbosa, a social work graduate student, got the opportunity to try the tacos on 7th Street Plaza.
“The tacos are very good. I got pastor and chicken (and) I would give them an eight (out of 10), it had lots of meat on them,” Barbosa said.
Food was not the only thing that got students to come out to this event, but it was the desire to share their love for their culture and the STEM fields as well.
Forensic science senior Dalia Cruz, was tabling at this event for Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science.
This organization works with its members to encourage the growth and provide support for Chicanos, Hispanics and Native Americans in science focused fields, according to the Society for Advancement of Chicano/Hispanic and Native American Science website.
“We want to show how you can be proud of your culture while also being (a) scientist,” Cruz said.
Another campus organization that was present at the event was the student-run radio station 90.5 KSJS.
Antonio Moreno Hernandez, a Chicano & Chicana studies sophomore, is a part of KSJS and said events like this are important for students.
“It’s important for the Hispanic and Latino community because it’s to celebrate our roots,” Moreno Hernandez said. “It’s a great way for students to learn about the culture as well, especially since at SJSU we have a large diverse group of students.”
Throughout the event, Latin songs were playing and performers came out to dance.
Grupo Folklórico Luna y Sol, a dance group consisting of students from SJSU, were one of the performers featured on Monday, according to its Instagram.
Folkoroico is a type of dance in which different colors and dance moves are presented and it depends on the region. Folkorico focuses on highlighting different cultures around México, according to a Wonderopolis webpage.
Ashley Chavez, a sociology and international business junior, came to this event and said she was adamant on attending.
“From afar, it looks (a) little cheesy but once you attend, they are really fun,” Chavez said. “We have to remember that we are paying to attend school and these events are free to attend, so we have to take advantage of what is being offered.”
Later on at this event, students were able to sign up for a “El Grito” competition. Those who signed up would take turns doing “El Grito” and the best one would win a prize.
“El Grito”, or also known as “The Cry”, was the announcement from Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla to Mexicans to rebel against the Spanish rule to fight for independence in 1810, according to the El Grito website.
“Not only did I get to (be) closer to my culture today and was able to hang out with my friends,” Chavez said. “But I also got to save some money with the free food that they provided.”
