Bright lights, lively music and the aroma of freshly made Latin American dishes flowed through Trinity as students and their families gathered to celebrate “Viva Las Américas.” On Oct. 3, the annual celebration, organized by the Trinity University Latino Association (TULA), recognized Latine cultural diversity on campus. This year’s edition coincided with Fall Family Weekend, which brought together students, families and community members.
According to Kay Cansino, senior sociology major and co-president of TULA, 2025’s edition of “Viva Las Américas” marked its tenth anniversary. Cansino said the event serves as a way for Latine students to show their pride and share their culture with the entire university community. Over the years, the celebration has expanded to include members of the greater San Antonio community. It helps students unfamiliar with Latine culture connect with the city they live in, she said.
“We moved it to fall family weekend so families visiting can also enjoy our show,” Cansino said. “We offer a variety of foods from Latin America — dishes that can remind people of home. So it’s just a way for us to provide representation on campus to students that might not be able to find that on their own.”
The first part of the event kicked off at 6 p.m. in Laurie Auditorium, featuring a diverse lineup of performances by Trinity students. The event featured a mix of folk dancing, such as the “Toro Mambo” dance from Sinaloa, Mexico, and a performance by Loon-E Crew, who danced to Bad Bunny’s “VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR.” Singers and poets such as Keyla Limones, junior international studies, political science and English triple-major, presented their work highlighting various forms of Latine art and expression.
Audience members expressed their excitement at the variety and energy of the show. Jakob Hatlestad, senior environmental studies major, said he recognized the event’s diversity.
“There was a good variety of performances. A mixture of art, poetry, singing and dance,” Hatlestad said. “I thought the event was really well done.”
The second part of the event moved outside, where TULA introduced a live band which performed a mix of Latin American genres such as bachata, merengue and cumbia. The event featured various different types of Latine dishes for guests, such as empanadas, arepas and pupusas.
Music filled the courtyard, and guests danced between tables, an atmosphere that set the stage for the night’s final moments. Among those at the event was Ivan Vega, an attendee who said the event made him feel at home.
“There came a point where the atmosphere became very comfortable, and being here reminded me of home,” Vega said. “I think that’s the most valuable thing about events like these at Trinity, you know.”
Yancy De Leon, senior marketing major and vice president of TULA, said that the association’s cultural events deeply moved her.
“Events like this represent a little piece of Latino culture,” De Leon said. “In San Antonio, it can sometimes be hard to find that connection, so this is a nice way for students to feel closer to home.”
After a decade of celebrations, the event has become an annual event at Trinity, featuring contributions from members across the university community. According to Cansino and De Leon, Viva Las Américas creates a space where campus sees and celebrates Latine culture.
