HOLA’s theme for the 2023-2024 year has been to embrace our roots and highlight the diversity in the Hispanic/LatinX community at Xavier. The E-Board has been working to get to know the community and what they want to see moving forward, in addition to what could be helpful in supporting everyone’s experiences on campus. 

We wanted to listen to all comments, both positive and negative, and suggestions to see what improvements needed to be made to better HOLA. One of the most important goals was to create a safe, open and welcoming place for everyone to thrive and feel at home even when being away from home. 

To continue embracing diversity, the theme was carried through to the Gala hosted in September, where all 24 Hispanic/Latin countries’ flags were proudly displayed at each table. To open the Gala, HOLA members walked in holding flags corresponding to their cultural backgrounds. Many students commented on how proud they were to see their flags shown and to talk about their countries with those around them.

HOLA recently got to take a group of 12 students to Chicago to attend the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute National Conference (USHL). The conference provided workshops, panels, luncheons and other networking events led by Hispanic/LatinX leaders in different fields. Students had the chance to meet other Hispanic/LatinX students from around the country who have their own experiences to share and confide in others of similar backgrounds. 

Our group was made up of students of different ethnicities, ages and majors to take advantage of everything the conference had to offer. All of the students reported feeling empowered and excited to keep moving forward to hopefully show people que sí se puede.

Since we wanted more students to learn about USHLI and how rewarding of an experience it is, HOLA did a takeover of the official Xavier Instagram on Feb. 17th. We answered questions about HOLA and USHLI and shared pictures of other events we’ve had this year. After the Instagram takeover, many students made comments on how they can’t wait for next year, because they would love to attend USHLI. We also invited students who were at the conference to talk about their favorite event and what they have learned from hearing Hispanic leaders share their experiences and wisdom. 

“I think everybody deserves to have a hero that looks like them and I definitely found many that weekend.”

“I was scared to take a leap into the light but I was able to find the support I needed to know that I was capable of anything I set my mind to.”

“Speakers were not presenters but storytellers; they empowered, enriched and invoked passion within each and every one of us.”

“Seeing people who looked like my past, my present and my future meant the world to me.”

To continue embracing our roots after USHLI, we are awarding two scholarships this year, each $1000. Students who have made an impact in their community and the Xavier community have had the chance to apply to be a recipient of one of our scholarships, the other being academic based. We plan to announce the winners at our next big event which will be our Carne Asada. HOLA will be hosting a party to celebrate the end of the school year, say goodbye to graduating seniors and welcome the new E-Board. 

As the year ends, we are looking forward to ending on a high note and preparing for the upcoming year. HOLA believes that without our community, we would not be where we are today. We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us and want to grow with the people who come after us. Regardless of our differences, we are all very similar and can learn from each other. ¡Sí se puede cuando estamos unidos, no cuando estamos divididos!