The Office of Student Agencies and Institutes (SAI) and the Hispanic/Latine Student Union are proud to host the Hispanic Latin Cultural Celebration.
The Hispanic Latin Cultural Celebration is designed to pay tribute to the generations of Hispanic and Latin Americans who have positively affected our historical, political, economic, and social context in the United States.
The goal of the cultural celebration is to bring the FSU and Tallahassee communities together to enhance our cultural awareness, increase our knowledge of significant contributions, and share untold stories of Hispanic and Latin communities. The celebration takes place annually during the fall semester.
2026 Celebration
The 8th Annual Hispanic Latin Cultural Celebration is an evening celebration featuring music, dance, cultural highlights, and a moderated conversation with special guest Beatriz Hatz. Join us as we share the stories, traditions, and achievements of our Hispanic and Latin communities. The evening will begin with a reception from 5-6 p.m.
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Student Union Ballrooms
Reception: 5 p.m. | Event: 6-8 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public.
Hatz is a member of Team USA, a two-time Paralympian, and the 2024 Paralympic Bronze Medalist in the Long Jump. Born with fibular hemimelia, Beatriz had her leg amputated at just 10 months old and went on to become one of the most decorated Paralympic track & field athletes of her generation, competing on the world stage at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
A proud Mexican-American and NIKE Global Ambassador, Beatriz is as known for her magnetic personality as she is for her athletic achievements, most recently captivating millions as an original cast member on the 2026 season of Love Island USA, becoming the first Paralympian to appear on the show. With the LA 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games on the horizon, Beatriz is building one of the most compelling athlete brands in the country at the intersection of elite sport, culture, and disability advocacy.
History
Each year throughout the United States of America, communities observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens and immigrants whose ancestors came from the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, Central and South America, and Spain.
The practice of nationally observing Hispanic Heritage began in 1968 as “Hispanic Heritage Week” during President Lyndon Johnson’s administration and was expanded in 1988 during President Ronald Reagan’s administration to become a month-long observance.
Florida State University honored the legacy of the community at its inaugural Latinx Cultural Celebration on Sept. 17, 2019 in the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall.
During the celebration, participants are introduced to Latin culture, music, and traditions. At the ceremony, a faculty or staff member is presented with Florida State University’s Latin Distinguished Service Award and a student receives the Rosalia Gonzales Award. According to our Florida State history, Rosalia Gonzales is considered to be the first Latin student to graduate from the Florida State College for Women in 1921. The program ends by engaging attendees with a notable Latin keynote speaker.
The terms Hispanic, Latina, Latino, and Latine are umbrella terms primarily used within the United States to describe communities that represent more than 22 sovereign countries throughout the Americas and the Caribbean that have a shared history of being colonized by the Kingdom of Spain. It is common for individuals grouped into one of these umbrella terms to self-identify with terms linking one to ancestral lands such as Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Mexico, or Cuba.
Significance
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Finally, Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30-day period.