Hispanic Heritage Month is quickly approaching, and the Hispanic community at FGCU is getting ready to celebrate its roots and culture.

Hispanic Heritage Month, which starts on Sept. 15 and ends on Oct. 15, is a period when the Hispanic community around the world celebrates and honors the history, culture, and countries within Latin America.

At FGCU, the Latin American Student Organization (LASO) is preparing for this upcoming month.

LASO is one of the most notable student-led Hispanic organizations at the school, led by President Salma Guerrero and Vice President Elizabeth Gonzales. Their purpose is to bring together students from different Hispanic backgrounds and make them feel welcome in the community through weekly meetups and events, with the first meet-up taking place on Sept. 12 on campus.

Guerrero, 20, has been an active member of LASO for three years and quickly became one of the most dedicated and influential figures in the organization. Her commitment and leadership to LASO paved the way for her to become president.

Reflecting on her experience and journey in LASO, Guerrero describes the organization as more than just a student group.

“LASO is a place where you can be yourself and share your culture with others. I see it as a family and a place where you can find comfort,” Guerrero said.

Gonzales, 22, has also been part of LASO for three years. Her mission to innovate and positively impact the Hispanic community at FGCU is what led her to take on the role of vice president.

Gonzales looks forward to working behind the scenes and ensuring everything goes according to plan during Hispanic Heritage Month.

“I’m excited for all the plans we have to come to fruition. We want to create a safe space for everyone, whether you’re Latino or not, to come enjoy our culture, learn about our traditions, and eat some delicious food,” Gonzales said.

Guerrero and Gonzales are extremely excited for Hispanic Heritage Month to kick off, and they are aware of the big role LASO will play on campus during the month. Their goal is for the student body to familiarize themselves with and connect to the rich and diverse Hispanic culture at FGCU.

To take it to the next level, LASO is planning to partner with other Hispanic groups at FGCU, like the Mexican American Student Alliance (MASA) and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). These partnerships will help LASO improve the quality of its events and activities while offering a more in-depth experience for students.

“We are planning multiple events on campus, and we want to partner with other Latin American student organizations as well,” Guerrero said.

“We have fun activities and games planned for the events. Our aim is to educate students on what Hispanic Heritage Month stands for and to encourage them to come out, learn a little about different cultures, and make connections with new people,” Gonzales said.

Dates and times for the events and workshops will be announced on LASO’s social media.

After months of careful planning and thorough research, LASO promises to make this month a memorable and fun experience for students and create an impact in the community. As Hispanic Heritage Month approaches, we encourage the FGCU community to join LASO to celebrate this month and experience the rich tradition and culture that the Hispanic community at FGCU has to
offer, as well as to try delicious food from all countries in Latin America.

Come out and be a part of this experience alongside LASO as we honor Hispanic heritage at our school and all around the world.