Voces de Estudiantes, Volume 2: Four Personal Reflections on Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15, we celebrate and honor Latine and Hispanic culture, history and personal perspectives on Hispanic Heritage Month. We invite you to meet four graduate students from across the U.S. and South America as they reflect on what this month means to them.

Andrea Casique

Andrea Casique (G’25), born and raised in Venezuela, came to Georgetown to pursue a master’s in Latin American studies. The program’s training on global policy in Latin America and connections to alumni who have made impacts worldwide offered the exact pathway Casique was looking for in her career. 

For Casique, Hispanic Heritage Month reminds her of the Carnaval festivals she used to celebrate back in Venezuela. She remembers dressing up for parades and feeling the joy, laughter and sense of community around her. Living in DC, Casique still finds joy and community in her culture.

“The resilience of our people makes me the most proud. Latinos who have migrated to new countries often had to adapt to new cultures and languages, yet they not only survive but thrive,” she said. “They build lasting connections and contribute to the richness of their new communities, all while maintaining deep ties to their heritage.”

Celebrating and learning about Hispanic culture, language and traditions also means shedding light onto the ongoing issues impacting Hispanic communities. Casique notes that it’s important for people to educate themselves on the violence and oppression taking place in her country.

“In Venezuela, where people are facing repression and intimidation under the Maduro regime, solidarity means standing up for their rights and dignity and calling dictatorships by name, regardless of what side of the aisle you stand on,” says Casique. “Understanding the complexities of these struggles and supporting democratic movements is key.”

Corrine Rojas

Corrine Rojas (G’26) came to DC from Phoenix, Arizona, to join the environmental metrology and policy program at Georgetown. She spent several years working in science and engineering roles at NASA before deciding to pursue graduate studies, and felt that this degree matched her own interdisciplinary career goals in both hard science and policy.

“I can’t think of a better place to enter the new world of policy than in our nation’s capital, and I’m certain my time at Georgetown will also help me become a better scientist,” she said.

For Rojas, Latine Culture and Hispanic Heritage Month means celebrating the diversity in cultural identities and unity within the Latine and Hispanic community.

“We may all speak different dialects and languages, but there’s a shared understanding that we are all a big family that takes pride in our collective identities and cultures,” says Rojas. 

Her favorite Mexican American tradition is celebrating both American Mother’s Day and Mexican Días de las Madres. To her, this celebration honors maternal figures, her mother and late abuelitas (grandmothers), both of whom were single mothers and made sacrifices every day raising their children up in poverty to the best of their abilities.

Although she is living away from home, Rojas makes sure that her mom always feels extra special on this holiday. Rojas, her aunts and cousins all team up after attending Mass for either takeout or a home-cooked meal on Mother’s Day in the U.S., and on Mexican Días de las Madres they take her out to her mom’s favorite restaurant, Olive Garden.

Anthony Guerrero

Anthony Guerrero (G’24) is pursuing the executive certificate in clinical quality, safety and leadership offered by the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences and School of Health. In his day job, he works as a practice manager at Northwestern University Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. He fell in love with Georgetown’s commitment to diversity in highlighting and sharing an array of student experiences, including Latinx students’ achievements, when he came across the Celebrating Latine Culture and Hispanic Heritage webpage.

Guerrero often celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by reflecting on the beauty and richness of his community, his personal values and his identity. He also takes time to honor Latino leaders who came before him and who paved the way for him and future generations to freely speak Spanish and vote without discrimination in the U.S.

During this month and beyond, Guerrero encourages members of the Georgetown community to actively seek out opportunities to learn about Latino civil rights movements, their struggle and achievements. 

“Simply finding one Hispanic friend and asking them about their upbringing can offer invaluable insights into how their experiences have shaped them,” said Guerrero. “This kind of personal connection fosters empathy, understanding and a deeper appreciation for the diverse narratives within our community.”

Isabella Martinez

Originally from Miami, Florida, Isabella Martinez (G’25) came to Georgetown to pursue a master of science in environment and international affairs. During her high school years, Martinez attended a summer program at Georgetown University and met with Professor Anthony Arend, who, along with the ethos of the new program, inspired her to come to Georgetown for graduate school. 

Martinez believes that Latine Culture & Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect opportunity to educate those outside of the community about their cultures and traditions.

One of Martinez’s favorite traditions is celebrating Noche Buena, Christmas Eve for Christian Latinx and Hispanics. It is a time to showcase generosity, warmth and love to one’s family and friends.

“Typically it involves a full day of cooking, eating, and celebrating together with family. The meal includes roasted pork, black beans, rice, and yuca. Desserts are amazing turrones nougets and flan,” she said.

Martinez admires the resilience and perseverance it took for her Cuban grandparents and many others from her community to leave everything behind in search for freedom in the U.S. She often reads Latine and Hispanic literature to learn about her family’s and other’s journey – Richard Blanco’s The Prince of Los Cocuyos on the experience of Cuban Americans is her favorite memoir. She urges community members to take the time this month to learn about the contributions of Hispanics in the U.S. to break down cultural and stereotypical barriers for her community.

Read more stories from Latine and Hispanic students, faculty and staff at Georgetown University.