Latino Alliance turned a corner of 618 S. Michigan Ave. into a holiday refuge this week, inviting students to its first Christmas posada, a celebration rooted in Latino tradition and a welcome break from the pressures of finals.
Over a dozen students gathered to take a break from their semester finals and celebrate the holiday season on Wednesday, Dec. 11. Students chatted and laughed to the sound of Spanish festive music. Glitter and paint were scattered across the table as students leaned over their creations.
“We wanted to celebrate the end of the semester and bring people together,” said Stefanie Valle Aguilera, co-president of the club and a senior fine arts and illustration major.
“Posada” derives from the Spanish word for “Inn,” and has traditionally been a Catholic-Latino celebration that provides warmth and shelter to loved ones.
“I know it’s cold outside, but I know the warmth of celebrating the holidays with people like us,” Valle Aguilera said. “I do miss having these times with my family, so I hope other people that don’t have the opportunity to have Christmas with their family come here and seek this space.”
Students were able to enjoy a variety of cookies and sweets provided by both the club and attendees, all while painting their own Christmas tree ornaments. Some adorned theirs with glitter and paint, while others chose to draw characters such as Kermit the Frog or a yellow Minion from the “Despicable Me” franchise.
For first-year musical theatre major Alina Velasco, she liked that Columbia had its own posada since they have always been a major part of her culture.
“It definitely makes me feel really included,” said Velasco. “Coming here and seeing Conchas and non typical foods that are more close to my culture is definitely very homey and cozy.”
For many students, the posada was an opportunity for them to relax and destress from their finals week.
“Especially at the end of the year where there’s so many assignments and finals, it is nice to have a little break from all of that and just enjoy being around people,” said Kameron Murray, a junior English major.
Jamirelys Maldonado Albarran, a sophomore dance major, said she found the posada relaxing and was a much needed break from her studies.
“Spaces like this are good for students to relax a little bit and just have a minute to breathe instead of drowning in homework,” said Maldonado Albarran.
Rather than decorate an ornament, junior graphic design major Monica Hernandez chose to relax by watching Illumination Entertainment’s 2018 adaptation of “The Grinch” at the posada.
“It feels like perfect timing,” said Hernandez. “It’s nice after everything to just rewind and chill.”
First-year creative writing major Angel Valerio came to the event because of “the promise of hot chocolate,” and that this would be the last Latino Alliance meeting of the semester.
“For me, this feels like a great way to cap it off because I just finished my last final today,” said Valerio. “So this is a great way to end the semester.”
Copy edited by Mya DeJesus
