2021 Gordon College Hispanic Heritage Month Campaign
Each year @mio_gordon highlights a different Hispanic country to celebrate, and this year it’s EL SALVADOR—“land of the volcanoes” and home to delicious pupusas (a thick tortilla stuffed with cheese, beans, or meat) 🇸🇻. Follow along as Gordon’s Salvadorian students share more about their heritage and how they’ll be celebrating this month. 💙
Our first Salvadorian student spotlight for Hispanic Heritage Month is Jason Lopez 🇸🇻 💙. He’s a junior computer science major hailing from nearby Boston.
Salvadorian heritage means: A strong sense of family and perseverance. “Every time I see my father I remember all the stories he told me, of how hard it was to move here and not know any English. He did everything to help my grandparents back in El Salvador and thanks to God, he made it easier for them and for myself.”
Favorite Salvadorian food and drink: Pupusas revueltas and horchata!
Our next spotlight is Milcah Hernandez 🇸🇻 💙 A fan of pupusas and jugo de tamarindo, Milcah grew up in southern New Hampshire and is graduating in December with a biology major and psychology minor.
Salvadorian heritage means: Strength and persistence. “My father moved to the States at 17 all by himself to make a life for himself. Through God’s mercy, he went from being a homeless teenager in Boston to a skilled electrical engineer.”
Wants people to know more about: Oscar Romero, the fourth archbishop of San Salvador. “He was declared a martyr by Pope Francis and is recognized by the U.N. as an important figure in denouncing violations of human rights against vulnerable people.”
Juanjo Cruz is a first-year student from San Salvador, Juanjo is studying political science and international affairs.
Best thing about Salvadorian culture: “The humbleness and friendliness of Salvadorians. We are really friendly with each other to the point that we all feel like a family no matter who you are. We treat others with equality, education and respect.”
Favorite Salvadorian tradition: Eating pupusas with family.
Wants more people to know about: Javier Siman. “He’s an entrepreneur from our country and I think he represents our good people. He’s hardworking, intelligent, prudent and wise.”
Raquel is a business administration major and music minor. She was born and raised in El Salvador and she’ll be graduating in December.
Favorite tradition: Staying up till midnight to welcome Christmas and the New Year. “The most beautiful part is right in the middle of the night when you can see all the fireworks in the neighborhood lighting up the dark skies.”
Plans for celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: “Since my first year at Gordon, I put up my flag in my room and sang my national anthem in the morning.”
Must-see places in El Salvador: “Everyone should come visit the beaches in El Salvador. Also, a very beautiful place to go is to the Volcano Ilamatepec located in Santa Ana, it’s a difficult track to climb, but the view is very rewarding.”
