Ceremony at courthouse kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month
By Bruce Walton
YOUNGSTOWN
Fran Wilson has kept a special mantra first taught to her by her father.
While growing up, Wilson’s father would tell her “You can do anything, you’re Mexican.”
“I know he’d be very happy today knowing that I’m spreading his wisdom and living the American Dream,” she said, noting he “always told me to be proud of my Mexican heritage.”
The City of Girard Board of Appeals member was the keynote speaker for the kickoff Thursday of Youngstown’s Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through Oct. 15.
The event is co-sponsored through the Youngstown State University Hispanic Heritage Planning Committee and the Office of Student Diversity Programs, which will feature a series of events this month framed around the theme of “a growing connected Latino culture.” Locations on the YSU campus and throughout the city will host the events.
The ceremony featured 22 flags representing Hispanic countries carried by 22 YSU students, alumni and community members.
Brother and sister YSU alumni, Luis Arroyo and Betty Arroyo-Cuevas, carried the United States and Costa Rica flags.
They said they have always celebrated YSU’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Luis was born in Puerto Rico, the oldest of seven and his younger sister Betty was born in the U.S. after their parents moved to America.
“We’re very proud of our heritage,” Betty said. “Our father made sure he instilled on us: God first, then family and education.”
Ana Torres, YSU Hispanic Heritage Planning Committee member and YSU Maag Library interim director, said the opening ceremony was organized at the Mahoning County Courthouse because that is where many became U.S. citizens.
Torres said she hopes the theme encourages Hispanic and Latino people in the community to celebrate their heritage as they connect with others.
“We’re a community that is united. We keep growing as we have newcomers coming to the Youngstown area from different parts of the United States and also from other countries but also as our own families keep growing with new generations,” she said. “We want to make sure their Hispanic heritage is preserved through their families, too.”
Although there are 22 countries of Hispanic culture, Grimilda Ocasio, YSU administrative assistant, said the theme also encourages unity.
“We may have different traditions or our dialect may vary from different Hispanic groups, but we are united as one and we are connected,” she said.
For information on the month, call 330-941-2087.