LV’s goals were to create welcoming spaces, educate people beyond the classroom, and celebrate the many cultures that make up the Latine community at Hamilton.
We asked a few of the student organizers what they were proudest of and what the month meant to them.
Turning ideas into events
For Social Liaison and DMC Multicultural Fellow Melanie Santana ’28, the month meant seeing plans from the summer become reality.
“It’s been really gratifying to see a few of my ideas for LHM come to fruition, such as our LV x CIF [Center for Intersectional Feminism] collab about the Puerto Rico Pill Trials and fundraising for Central American artisans through the Pulsera Project,” she said. “I learned about and developed these ideas during the summer, so it was truly fulfilling to turn these ideas into actual, full-fledged LHM events.”
The Puerto Rico Pill Trials were an early large-scale human trial of oral contraceptives that raised ethical concerns because participants were not told about the health risks. LV also sold handwoven bracelets from the Pulsera Project, a nonprofit that provides Central American artisans with fair-trade work, and all proceeds went to social impact projects in their communities.
“I was happy to see that many of our events brought students and staff together to engage in proactive discussions, such as those pertaining to medical exploitation and language diversity.”
Events like these were designed to raise awareness and start impactful conversations, and LV’s events coordinator and multicultural fellow Caroline (Caro) Cericero ’28 said she saw that happen. “I was happy to see that many of our events brought students and staff together to engage in proactive discussions, such as those pertaining to medical exploitation and language diversity,” she said, adding that it was “a pleasure working with the presidents and my E-board to bring our LHM ideas to life!”
Building community
LV also reached out beyond campus. President Carol Daquilema ’28 said they partnered with faculty and the Mohawk Valley Latino Association to bring a local dance group to the Latin Festival. “I’m proud of these contributions because they demonstrate the wider community that we, as an organization, have outside of the student group,” she said.
The Latin festival, she added, captured what the month is about. “For me, it represented the tight-knit community we have and our ability to come together through food, music, and dance.”
Reviving a tradition
Santana also pointed to Cafecito Nights, a recurring event LV hopes to continue beyond the month. “This event used to be a longstanding tradition within LV, but unfortunately stopped, so our goal is to revive it as a welcoming space where students can come together to relax, engage in meaningful conversation, and enjoy a cafecito,” she said.
Looking ahead
LV Vice President Lucas Andia ’28 said the month’s planning began with making the effort to listen. He and Daquilema met with board members and other community members beforehand “to help make the celebrations as inclusive and expansive as possible.”
He hopes students leave with a broader view of Latine identity. “What I hope students take away from this month is that Latine identities are intersectional and shaped by varied life experiences,” he said. “Latine Heritage Month may only be one month but it is recognized and celebrated every day of the year.”
Andia said that he would carry these experiences with him for years “and use what I’ve learned to uplift my community wherever I end up.”
Looking to next year, he added, “I would like to see even more students not only participate but also be present as themselves at the Days-Massolo Multicultural Center. I hope they bring questions that spark conversations about uncertainty, pride, belonging, and, ultimately, responsibility.”
Posted October 20, 2026
