York College Honors Hispanic Heritage with Joy, Dialogue, and Tradition

Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at York College is a treasured tradition, not only for those from the regions that make up Latin and Central America and parts of the Caribbean, but for the cross-section of cultures that is York.

Co-hosted by Student Activities and the SEEK department, the event blended cultural joy with inspiring dialogue. Workload Coordinator Maribel Donado kicked off the festivities by teaching salsa dancing, followed by a keynote from Wenddy Zepeda, Director of Admissions.

The highlight was a panel featuring Yenny Mejia, a first-generation Occupational Therapy alumna, and her son, Michael Valero, a senior psychology major. Mejia shared her challenges as a single mother who missed out on campus life experiences to rear her family, while Valero expressed gratitude for his full college experience. Both emphasized how education breaks generational barriers.

Emceed by Miosotys Hernandez and Sheila Beverley-Skinner, of SEEK and Student Activities, respectively, the celebration concluded with a vibrant, traditional Hispanic feast, reinforcing York's commitment to community and mutual support.