Music filled Medallion Plaza as two Salsa dancers counted out steps for the crowd as pairs of students followed along. Hips swayed and feet tapped along the brick as attendees danced. The dance lesson was part of Elon University’s Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff event Sept. 19.
Peiwei Cobo and James Cobo are dancers and instructors at CoboBrothers Dance Company in Raleigh. Peiwei said it was beautiful to see Elon students dance, laugh and have a good time at the kickoff.
“A lot of people do hear about it, but they don't get to actually experience it,” Peiwei said. “It is a big difference when you see it on social media, when you see other people doing it, then being a part of it.”
Freshmen Alina Wolcott and Yaelle Lieb were one of the pairs dancing along with the Cabos. Even after the tutorial ended, the two students continued to dance in the plaza, moving along gracefully to the live music.
Wolcott, who is Hispanic herself, said embracing her identity alongside other students was a powerful feeling.
“Being able to gather together — essentially as one — to be able to share who you are really is super important,” Wolcott said.
As the pair danced on the brick, a few other students joined along. Lieb and Wolcott even led some of their own dance lessons for curious students who had missed the earlier performance from the Cabos.
Lieb and Wolcott learned about the kickoff event through El Centro, the main event organizers. Wolcott said she is excited to spend more time at El Centro as she gets more involved in the Hispanic and Latine communities on campus. Lieb said older students, especially other Hispanic students, have been valuable mentors and guides as she navigates Elon.
“Everyone's there to support each other,” Lieb said. “Especially coming in as a first year, everyone's been in your place.”
Senior Emily Menjivar has attended the Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff since her freshman year. Menjivar, who is half Salvadoran and half Mexican, said connecting with other Hispanic and Latine students at Elon has helped her feel more pride in her identity.
Menjivar said she loves seeing her friends and classmates take time out of their busy schedules to celebrate Hispanic and Latine culture. This year, she watched the celebration from the Omega Phi Beta Sorority Inc. table. Menjivar is the president of Omega Phi Beta, a Latina-oriented sorority that started its Elon chapter in 2023. OPB was one of several student organizations tabling at the kickoff event and Menjivar spent the night talking with attendees about her sorority.
“Elon is promoting the diversity that's available on campus, and really just making sure that it is known that there is a space for us and to continuously be proud of our culture and be proud of our identity,” Menjivar said.
The next Hispanic Heritage Month event is Noche Latina at 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Elon soccer field. Announcements during the game will be in both English and Spanish.