In the first on-campus event of its kind, a group of Mexican students gathered to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day alongside their friends and peers on Sept. 15, 2024. The event, which occurred between 6 and 8 p.m., was held in the space between Buller Hall and Nethery Hall and included live music, prizes, and traditional Mexican food. It was sponsored by the Andrews University Graduate Student Association.
Jahaziel Gutierrez (graduate, choral conducting), the primary coordinator of the event, said old traditions inspired him to organize the celebration. The first time he and his family were out of the country, he said, they were not able to celebrate Mexico’s independence, “which is the most important celebration of Mexican culture.”
In previous years, he said, Mexican students would hold a “Mexican Night,” a private event, which prompted him to start an event that could share Mexican culture with the whole campus. He saw it as an opportunity to educate. “Many here in the U.S.,” he said, “think Cinco de Mayo is our important celebration, but in reality it’s not.”
The event, which was approved only a few weeks before it was held, was promoted less than other events on campus, Gutierrez said. However, many participated in the event—“more people than predicted” showed up to celebrate Mexico’s independence.
Those who went to the event had the chance to buy a wide selection of Mexican food, including tamales, street corn in a cup, corn ribs, Mexican tostadas, fake pork skin, and empanadas. There was a selection of drinks too, such as horchata, agua de Jamaica (hibiscus juice), and Jarritos, as well as some desserts, such as carlotas (Mexican lemon pie), arroz con leche (rice with milk), and mosaic jelly.
There was also a live program in which people participated in games onstage. A student mariachi band—composed of one trumpet, two violins, one viola, one bass guitar, one guitar, and a male singer—also played.
Naomi Pelayo Cang (senior, violin performance), a member of the mariachi band, said that the group began rehearsing only three days before the event, but had the help of Jesus Parra (senior, viola performance), who, although not Mexican, works in a local mariachi band. They performed classic Mexican songs such as “Cielito Lindo,” “El Rey,” and “Mexico Lindo.”
The mariachi band also selected people to participate in a mariachi scream competition, in which participants tried to replicate the stereotypical scream of mariachi performers. Colin Cha (senior, music), who participated in the competition, said he was just visiting the event when selected. Onlookers congratulated all participants for their efforts to replicate the mariachi scream.
Some attendees wore traditional clothing or merchandise from Mexico’s soccer team. Gutierrez highlighted that the event made Mexican students on campus feel at home. “The people that visited us,” he said, “learned more of our culture and enjoyed the activities.”
Jaelah Simons (sophomore, music composition), said she enjoyed learning about Mexican culture and listening to the culture’s music. “I appreciated being able to celebrate another culture with other students and their families,” she said. “I think that's the whole purpose of our campus community.”
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.