Students celebrate Latine heritage with annual march up Bascom Hill
Photos by Jeff Miller
Every September, students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison kick off Latine Heritage Month with a march up Bascom Hill. The event is a chance for all UW students to celebrate Latine culture, make new connections and greet old friends. For the first time, the march concluded with a mercadito, or small market, that featured crafts, delicious snacks and games. The event was organized by the Chicanx/e & Latinx/e Studies Program in collaboration with ChiLaCSA, the Latine Heritage Month Committee and the Wisconsin School of Business Multicultural Center.
UW–Madison students Natalia Uzhca, at left holding the flag of Ecuador, and , Michelle Perez, holding the flag of El Salvador, prepare to participate in an annual march up Bascom Hill. Photo: Jeff Miller / UW–MadisonStudents play music, chat and cheer as they make their way up the hill to Bascom Hall. Photo: Jeff Miller / UW–MadisonMore than 280 students came out for the annual event. Photo: Jeff Miller / UW–MadisonHaving spun in a circle three dizzying times, UW student Carmen Alvarez represents her heritage with the Mexican flag as she takes a swing at a piñata. Photo: Jeff Miller / UW–MadisonStudents took time to find friends and gather for a picnic on the hill. Photo: Jeff Miller / UW–MadisonFrom left to right, students Michael Samson, Robert Faican, Evan Epps and Mustafa Misbah enjoy refreshing paletas, a traditional Mexican frozen treat popular in many Latin American countries. Photo: Jeff Miller / UW–MadisonA UW student threads beads to make a friendship bracelet during the mercadito. For the first time, the event featured a small market with Latine crafts and Latine Heritage Month swag. Photo: Jeff Miller / UW–MadisonFrom left to right, Natalie Ergas, program coordinator for UW–Madison’s Latine Cultural Center, plus students Julissa Rodriguez, Diana Bonilla, Kalani Rodriguez Jimenez and Katherine Pacheco wore shirts with this year’s theme: amor sin fronteras (“love without borders” in Spanish). Photo: Jeff Miller / UW–Madison