Denisse Castro-Rivera, president of HOLA (Hispanic Outreach and Latinx Awareness), talks with other students during the Student Involvement Fair on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. Photo: Nathan Gray
For National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Hispanic Outreach and Latinx Awareness Student Organization is challenging people’s understanding of Hispanic cultures while helping Latin and Hispanic students find a sense of belonging on campus.
HOLA promotes these cultures by giving students enriching experiences through campus events. HOLA President Denisse Castro-Rivera ’25 said she wants these events to go beyond offering free food – she wants to engage people with cultures they may have had little exposure to.
“We’re in a university setting where you’re going to have your opinions and your worldview challenged,” she said.
On Friday, HOLA will host a Hispanic Heritage Month drop-in from noon to 1:30 p.m., at the Center for Interpersonal Connections, in Lakeview Hall. Starting at 5 p.m. in the Burgess Theater, HOLA members will screen the film “Voces Inocentes,” or “Innocent Voices.” This drama, set during the Salvadoran Civil War, can spark thought and conversation about the history of civil strife in Latin American countries, and the United States’ involvement in those conflicts, Castro-Rivera said.
Conversations like these align with Furman’s On Discourse initiative, which promotes constructive, respectful discussions among people who think differently. Castro-Rivera said she’s organizing a CLP event set for October that will capture the spirit of the season: A presentation on Latin American folklore, myths and monsters.
As a first-generation student, she said other students encouraged her to join HOLA after she initially struggled to make connections on campus. Within the group she’s made friends and taken on responsibilities, first as HOLA’s secretary, now as president.
Furman’s undergraduate student population is about 7% Hispanic or Latino, according to data from Fall 2023. Castro-Rivera served as secretary of HOLA her sophomore and junior years, and now as president she’s pushing for the group to better advocate for these students.
“I think it’s really important to have that sense of community,” she said. “Not only am I appreciated in HOLA, but I can also help other students feel like they’re appreciated.”