Polk State’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Includes Exhibits, Concerts, Fiesta
Polk State will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with concerts, exhibits, and its always-popular Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fiesta.
Hispanic Heritage Month is one of several initiatives at the College to spotlight various areas of diversity within the community it serves. Other initiatives include Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Disability Awareness Month.
Hispanic students make up approximately 20 percent of Polk State’s headcount.
“We look forward to this time of the year, when we as an educational institution both celebrate and explore Hispanic culture,” said Valparisa Baker, director of equity and diversity. “The events we assemble for Hispanic Heritage Month offer all members of the College community, including students, employees and campus visitors, invaluable opportunities to learn about this growing segment of our student population. The more we learn about one another, the better we can understand one another — and for that, all our lives are enriched.”
The Hispanic Heritage Month calendar includes the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fiesta. To be eligible to win the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship, students must meet certain academic requirements, submit an essay, and have demonstrated interest in the Hispanic community. More information, as well as an application, can be found here.
The Hispanic Heritage Month calendar includes:
Movie screening
“Frida”
Sept. 15
5 p.m.
Polk State Winter Haven, WLR 106
Gallery exhibit
“Remembrances and Dreams” by Hermie Ibarra
Through Sept. 23
Monday-Thursday
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Polk State Lakeland Art Gallery
Gallery exhibit
“In Movement” by Alexis Martinez Puleio
Through Sept. 23
Monday-Thursday
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Polk State Winter Haven Fine Arts Gallery
Gallery exhibit
“From Form to Color” by Vivian Garriga
Sept. 5-23
Monday-Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Reception Sept. 8, 5 to 7 p.m.
Polk State Lake Wales Arts Center
Hispanic Heritage Kickoff
Sept. 14
11:30 a.m.
Polk State Winter Haven, WLR Patio
Coffee, Cookies, and Conversations Series
Café con Leche discussion presented by Polk State Winter Haven SGA
Sept. 28
10 a.m.
Polk State Winter Haven Student Center
Downtown Concert Series
Elias Tona
Salsa and Latin Jazz
Oct. 5
12:30 to 1:45 p.m.
Polk State JD Alexander Center
Campus Concert Series — Arts Day at Polk State College
Elias Tona
Salsa and Latin Jazz
Oct. 6
12:30 to 1:45 p.m.
Polk State Lakeland Student Center
Concert
Elias Tona
Salsa and Latin Jazz
Oct. 7
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Polk State Lake Wales Arts Center
Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fiesta
Oct. 12
11:30 a.m.
Polk State Lakeland Student Center
Addresses for the locations listed above are:
Polk State Lakeland, 3425 Winter Lake Road
Polk State Winter Haven, 999 Ave. H N.E.
Polk State Lake Wales Arts Center, 1099 State Road 60 East
Polk State JD Alexander Center, 152 E. Central Ave., Lake Wales
In addition to Hispanic Heritage Month events at its campuses, the College is also a sponsor of the 19th Annual Hispanic Festival, which will take place from 12 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 22 at Lakeland’s Lake Mirror Promenade and Barnett Park. The event is $5 for adults, but free for children 12 years old and younger. For more information, call 863.937.2515.
All events are free unless otherwise noted. For more information, contact Nixsa Cruz-De Witt at 863.298.6842 or ndewitt@polk.edu.
The College’s Hispanic Heritage Month partners include Club Hispano de Lakeland, Events by Violet, Polk State College Foundation, Polk State Lake Wales Arts Center, Polk State Student Activities and Leadership Office, and Polk State Student Government Association.