ASC Hispanic Heritage Day showcases culture

by Julie Waechter

Semillas de la Tierra Grupo Folklorico will be among the presenters at Adams State's Hispanic Heritage Day, Sept. 1. Adams State has sponsored the popular group for 35 years.

ALAMOSA, Colo.-- Adams State College's Hispanic Heritage Day will showcase cultural expressions ranging from Mexican folk dance to weaving to low riders. Sponsored by Adams State College and Grizzly Athletics, the event will be held Saturday, Sept. 1, from noon to 3 p.m. in the field north of Plachy Hall (Stadium & Sunset.) Admission is free. Activities will move to the Plachy Fieldhouse, in the event of inclement weather.

Hispanic Heritage Day will recognize achievements by Hispanics in the San Luis Valley, at Adams State, and specifically, in Adams State athletics. The day begins at 9 a.m. with the Joe I. Vigil Open cross country competition at Cattails Golf Course. Both high school and college teams will race. Dr. Vigil will be on hand to man the starting gun. An ASC emeritus professor and 1959 ASC graduate, he is an international legend in the cross country world. His 1992 ASC men's cross country team accomplished the ultimate goal in the NCAA Div. II National Championship: a perfect score of 15.

The Hispanic Heritage Day celebration will open with a performance by Mariachi San Luis. The public can enjoy a lunch of Mexican food prepared by various local caterers, for $5 a person. Semillas de la Tierra Grupo Folklorico will perform at 1 p.m.. The Novela Project - an oral history of the San Luis Valley - will be presented at 2 p.m. Other cultural exhibits will include a Rio Grande weaving demonstration by Sandy Ortega and a low riders exhibit by Chris Quintana. Trinidad State Junior College will present a cultural display

Hispanic Heritage Day was conceived by ASC Athletics as one way to involve students with community members.

"The National Collegiate Athletic Association is committed to helping Division II student athletes become more engaged in their community," said to Larry Mortensen, director of the Athletic Department. "Activities such as Hispanic Heritage Day will broaden our students' perspective, with benefits for both the college and community."

The Adams State is a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution, which requires a Hispanic enrollment of at least 25 percent. Adams State's student body is nearly 27 percent Hispanic.

Swire Coca-Cola is providing some support for the event. For more information about Hispanic Heritage Day or the Joe I. Vigil Open, please contact Larry Mortensen, (719) 587-7401.