September 15 to October 15 marks National Hispanic Heritage month, a time in which Americans reflect on and celebrate the rich culture and diversity instilled by ancestors of Hispanic descent.

This year, the UTHSCSA community paid homage to Hispanic heritage with a celebration held on October 15th. This event featured free food from various Hispanic countries, live music and entertainment from a local mariachi band, piA±atas and candy. Organized by graduate student members of Society for Advancement of Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) for the past three years, this Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration was the biggest to date.

“The HHM event was a huge success. We served nearly 300 people who were serenaded by mariachis while they ate,” said Amanda Munoz, UTHSCSA SACNAS chapter president. “This was the biggest HHM Event hosted by SACNAS since our chapter started on the UTHSCSA campus.”

This event is also co-sponsored by multiple schools and departments in UTHSCSA, which included the School of Dentistry, School of Nursing – Office of Admissions and Student Services, School of Health Professions, Office of International Services, and the Hispanic Faculty Association.

“An event of this size would not have been possible without the generous help of our co-sponsors and I hope we can continue this type of collaboration for future events,” said Munoz.