National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. It celebrates the history, culture and contributions of American citizens with ancestral ties to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
This year, Lake Forest Academy’s affinity group UNIDOS aims to host more events and increase participation. They plan to also get involved in community service throughout the year. In November, they will host a movie night, featuring a favorite traditional Mexican Abuelita hot chocolate and a blanket drive.
As explained in a morning meeting presentation, September symbolizes a significant turning point for many South American and Latin American countries. Sept.15 marks the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico’s independence is on the 16th, and Chile’s is on the 18th.
In the 1960s, the Chicano civil rights movement fought against systemic discrimination, poor education and economic exploitation for Hispanic workers. Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta organized groups like the United Farm Workers. They led the Delano grape strike, fighting for better wages and working conditions.
The civil rights movement pushed the U.S. government to acknowledge workers and create awareness. George E. Brown, a California representative, introduced the idea of Hispanic Heritage Month in June 1968. President Lyndon B. Johnson officially started the celebration in September of 1968. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a full month.
The final slide in the morning meeting introduction and history of Hispanic Heritage Month was created in mind of the different indigenous heritage of Hispanic peoples.
“I had just recently read an article on the attempted reconstruction of the Taíno language,” UNIDOS leader Sicily Lasiowski ‘28 said. “That reignited a sense of awe, knowing Hispanic culture still has deep roots that refused to die, even through its present-day descendants. That is why I mentioned the Aztecs, Mayas, Incas, Taíno and Arawaks, though there are surely many more. It’s a way to thank them for the music, culture, language and pride they passed on.”
The theme for 2026’s Hispanic Heritage Month is “Unidos, Somos Más,” meaning “Together, We Are More.” Each year, members of the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers select the theme by vote. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the United States has 70.1 million Hispanic individuals, making them the largest ethnic minority group.
The theme highlights the power of collaboration and shared cultural identity. The council emphasizes that community programs are significantly more effective when people work together towards common goals.
“To me, Hispanic Heritage Month is a reminder to take pride in being of Hispanic descent,” Lasiowski said. “There is a common thread that binds us all together as Hispanic people. I find that it’s meant to be a celebration of the culture, for all its oddities and unique characteristics as a mix of different races.”
Lasiowski is proud to see UNIDOS growing as a club. In conjunction with the theme, she was delighted to see the participation in the piñata making in the student center on Oct. 3. It served as an example of how a club can be an outlet to bring the LFA community together through shared experience.