Celebrating Triumphs
Carla Garcia

On May 5 we celebrate “Cinco de Mayo”, but do we know why we celebrate it? Cinco de Mayo commemorates the battle that took place in Puebla, Mexico against the French on May 5, 1862. On this day, 4,500 Mexican soldiers and citizens began a revolutionary sequence of events that would change that nation and the world. The men fought with farm tools against a French army 65,000 strong. The victory of the Mexican soldiers stopped the invasion of Mexico by the French. The battle has become a symbol of unity for all Latinos today.

The celebration was held on the 4th of May during the longer Tuesday free-hour. The groups and individuals organizing the celebration were ALAS, LSU, A.S. ENLACE, Commissioner of A.S Edith Rivera, ICC Secretary Noemi Domingues, and LSU member Diego Rodrigues. The festivities commenced with Mariachi Latino reciting the National anthem of Mexico. Then shortly, the organizers introduce the Folclorico of SMC; which will be attending classes in Mexico City so let’s wish them luck. The dancers Elizabeth Potter, Nami Ogata, Ami Ducre and Jessica Nedjat-Haiem danced to “La Madrugada” originally from Jalisco, Mexico.

The Mariachi Latino then performed several traditional Mexican songs that every single Mexican American students have grown up listening to. The mariachi Juan Cervantes, Audel Cervantes, Reynaldo Rivera, Macario Lomeli, and Mario Tobar.

Alma from ALAS introduce herself, the club and the programs the club offers. Enrique Escobar from Latino Student Union (LSU) introduces himself and the club, the programs LSU have and the scholarship they offer.

After the introduction, we were delighted with traditional Aztec fire dancer from Mexico City. The dancer’s ages very from 3-40 years old; Martin Tellez, Vicente Tellez, Lupe Tellez, Lupe Xiuhcoatl Tellez, Rebeca Huitzilihuitl Tellez , O’celotl Tellez (baby)

During the break for the dancer; Jorge Monterosa a member of the LSU, who recited a poem; the poem was an expression of who he was and who he sees himself in the world.
After Jorge another fellow colleague and member of LSU performed with Mariachi Latino a song by Gilberto Parra “Por un Amor”.

After the break, the Aztec fire dancers perform a last dance. The dance was very incredible, the dancer were dancing over fire; they put their foot over a pot of fire and dance over it.

Then the whole event ended with several SMC students dancing to the music by mariachi Latino and Dj Gogo. I interviewed several students after the celebration and they said:
“It was a great turn out! Everybody showed up and had a good time and enjoy thee event.” A.S. Commissioner, Edith Rivera.

“Great turn out! I just want to thank you all the clubs that helped out.”
ICC Secretary, Noemi Domingues

“The organizers did a great job!” Dina Cervantes

“Todo fue bien dinertido, Las docoraciones y comidas was good!”
(“Every thing was great and lot’s of fun. The decorations and the food were good!”)
Sonia Arriola ~ President of ENLACE

“When everyone gets down on stage, when you get all the clubs together (ENLACE, LSU, ALAS, etc.) they turn it all out.
-Chason Smith ~ President of A.S.

Well as for me I think that everything was incredible and that it showed a great amount of pride in every single person that helped with the program. To all of you, who dedicated your time and efforts, thank you and I’ll be seeing you at the next one. For more information on the check below.

Mariachi Latino
3347 Garnet Street
Los Angeles, California 90023
Reps: Rafael y Jose Cervantes
(323) 268-1408 / (323) 261-7858
Cell: (323) 219-8190 / (213) 505-6238

IN TLANEXTLI TLACOPAN
Traditional Aztec Fire dancers from Mexico City
Martin S. Tellez, Director
(818) 845-0284
(213) 300-4511
www.tlanextli.com

Dj Gogo
(310) 892-2032
djgogoe@yahoo.com