Growing up in rural Ohio, Adriana Rodriguez-Denner wasn’t very connected to a large Hispanic community or her Salvadoran roots.
“My dad is White and I didn’t see many people who looked like me in the community,” she said. “I was kind of half and half, not able to embrace my entire identity as a mixed-race person.”
When considering colleges, Rodriguez-Denner wanted to go somewhere that would help her connect more with her heritage.
“That’s one of the things that drew me to Marymount,” she reflected. “My sister came here and talked about how active the Hispanic community was, and I liked the idea of being part of that.”
After arriving at Marymount, Rodriguez-Denner joined the Latinx Student Association (LSA) to reconnect with her roots and meet more Hispanic students. With the organization needing new leadership for the coming year, Rodriguez-Denner stepped up to support students on campus. As the new LSA president, she has taken it upon herself to revitalize the club and build a legacy for the coming years.
“I am excited to build the LSA back up and give Hispanic students a place to celebrate their culture and meet people with similar backgrounds and experiences.”
To accomplish this, Rodriguez-Denner and her fellow executive board members aim to host up to 10 events this fall. These include lotería nights, Spanish karaoke at Bernie’s and Spanish-language masses on Sundays.
Katherine Alcantra-Canales, a sophomore nursing student and the club’s new treasurer, emphasized the importance of these student-run events in building a sense of community for Hispanic students.
“The LSA brings a sense of unity for Hispanic students on campus,” she explained. “It is important for us to unite and celebrate our unique backgrounds as a community.”
However, LSA activities aren’t exclusively for Hispanic students. The club’s secretary, sophomore nursing major Ester de Leon Herrera, discussed how valuable cultural events can be for non-Hispanic students.
“The LSA welcomes all people of every background and culture,” he said. “It’s really important for students to have a diverse and multicultural mindset. Being open to learning from other cultures and experiences is valuable for every aspect of our lives.”
The LSA’s new vice president, Rudy Sanchez, a senior business administration major, shared his hope that the organization can feel like a “home away from home” for on-campus students.
“We’d like it to be a place where Hispanic and non-Hispanic students can come together and celebrate all the amazing things Latino culture offers. I want everyone, regardless of background, to feel like the LSA is just one big happy family.”
