OPSU Hispanic Student Center and HALO Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Oklahoma Panhandle State University’s Hispanic Student Center and Hispanic American Leadership Organization wrapped up a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month under the guidance of Connie Owens, Director of the Hispanic Student Center, and Omar Lira, HALO Advisor.

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, Connie Owens and her team at the Hispanic Student Center worked closely with HALO to organize various engaging events that showcased the importance of Hispanic culture nationally and in the Midwest region.

The celebration started with a movie night featuring the 2023 film Flamin’ Hot, a biographical comedy-drama about Richard Montañez, who claims to have invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos while working as a janitor at Frito-Lay. This film served as a motivating story of perseverance and cultural pride.

The second event was a lively Bingo night, filled with laughter and excitement, where students competed for fun door prizes.

Omar Lira, who has been HALO’s advisor for a year, shared the growth and progress of the organization under his leadership. “I took over HALO a year ago, and we started with eight members. We have 19 active members this year, making it our largest group. In terms of impact, I feel like we’ve been doing a good job building partnerships with organizations in the community, which has been beneficial to OPSU—one example being Northwest Domestic Crisis Services,” Lira said.

Lira praised the HALO officers, especially President Regina Mejia Medina and Vice President Denise Corral, for their dedication to making each event inclusive and meaningful. “I feel like this year, they have done an amazing job creating a sense of community on campus. I’m extremely proud of all the HALO officers, especially Regina and Denise, for the efforts they put into every event HALO organizes. They make sure to include every student, no matter where they come from. Another thing I’m really proud of is the fact that all of the HALO officers are females, and they are setting an incredible example of leadership for all our female students on campus.”

Regina expressed her excitement about the events, saying, “Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for us to come together and celebrate who we are, but it’s also an opportunity to inspire others, especially younger students, to take pride in their culture and pursue their dreams.”

Connie Owens, who has been instrumental in supporting Hispanic students and creating opportunities for cultural engagement at OPSU, expressed her enthusiasm about the month’s activities. “We want to create a space where students feel proud of their heritage and see it as a source of strength. This month’s events were about celebrating our shared culture and building a strong sense of community on campus,” Owens said.

The Hispanic Student Center brought two cultures together earlier in the month with a Luau Fiesta, blending Hispanic and Hawaiian traditions in a unique celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month. The event was a big success, drawing students, employees, and community members. It showcased the center’s dedication to connecting different cultures, making it a memorable and well-attended occasion for everyone involved.

With plans to continue building partnerships and fostering a sense of belonging on campus, the Hispanic Student Center and HALO are set to have a lasting influence on both OPSU and the surrounding community for years to come.