Adams State honors Hispanic culture and contributions (08-27-07)
Adams State College's Hispanic Heritage Day will showcase cultural expressions ranging from Mexican folk dance to weaving to low riders.
Semillas de la Tierra has been sponsored by Adams State College for more than 35 years.
Sponsored by Adams State College and Grizzly Athletics, the event will be held Saturday, Sept. 1, beginning at 9 a.m. with the 14th annual Joe I. Vigil Open cross country competition at Cattails Golf Course. Hispanic Heritage events will be held from noon to 3 p.m. in the field north of Plachy Hall (Stadium & Sunset.) Admission is free. Activities will move to the Plachy Fieldhouse, in the event of inclement weather.
Hispanic Heritage Day was conceived by ASC Athletics as one way to involve students with community members. The event will recognize achievements by Hispanics in the San Luis Valley, at Adams State, and specifically, in Adams State athletics.
"The National Collegiate Athletic Association is committed to helping Division II student athletes become more engaged in their community," said Larry Mortensen, director of the Athletic Department. "Activities such as Hispanic Heritage Day will broaden our students' perspective, with benefits for both the college and community."
Dr. Vigil will be on hand at the race named in his honor, and high school and college teams will race. An ASC emeritus professor and alumnus, he is an international legend in the cross country world. His 1992 ASC men's cross country team accomplished the ultimate goal in the NCAA Div. II National Championship: a perfect score of 15. He was selected to coach the U.S. distance and marathon runners for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
A special presentation will be made by Adams State president, Dr. David Svaldi, at 10:15 a.m., prior to the college races. Another highlight will be singing of the national anthem by Victoria Martinez, a 2006 Adams State graduate and 4-time National Champion runner.
The Hispanic Heritage Day celebration begins at noon with lunch of Mexican food prepared by Carlita's Way Catering and Lara's Catering for $5 a person. The menu includes chicken quesadillas, shrimp cocktail, and a choice of posole or chicken tortilla soup.
The master of ceremonies for the afternoon is Dr. Juan Gonzalez, associate professor of Spanish at Adams State. The performance schedule is as follows:
- 12:30 p.m. Mariachi Corazon del Valle - ASC student group
1 p.m. Semillas de la Tierra Grupo Folklorico - ASC student group
2 p.m. Novela Project - SLV oral history
2 p.m. Indian Nickel Band
2:30 p.m. Guatemalan Ballet & Folklorico
Arts and cultural exhibits will be presented from noon to 3 p.m. Headlining the list of exhibitors is master weaver Eppie Archuleta, who is a National Endowment for the Arts Lifetime National Heritage Fellow.
Additional presenters include: Carlos Atencio, santero and weaver; book sales featuring San Luis Valley authors; cultural displays by El Parnaso (ASC Spanish Club), the valley's Guatemalan community, and Padres Unidos; Rio Grande weaving by Sandy Ortega; Casey Arguillo, San Luis Valley geneology; a low rider display by Chris Quintana; a live display of Churro sheep & wool history by Suzanne Quintana; and artwork by Adams State alumna, Georgia Venne.
Adams State is a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution, which requires a Hispanic enrollment of at least 25 percent. Adams State's student body is nearly 29 percent Hispanic. In addition, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities found Adams State has the third highest Hispanic graduation rate of all its 435 member institutions.
Sponsors for the event include Adams State Community Partnerships Center, the Grizzly Club, O&V Printing, Swire Coca-cola, and the Valley Courier. For more information about Hispanic Heritage Day or the Joe I. Vigil Open, please contact Larry Mortensen, (719) 587-7401.
By Julie Waechter
