The Latin Hispanic Alliance (LHA) at Appalachian State University brings together students to celebrate and promote Latin and Hispanic culture, providing a welcoming community on campus. Members of LHA, known as "familia," gather weekly in the Plemmons Student Union. The club aims to support students of Latin and Hispanic descent, though it welcomes all who respect and appreciate these cultures. Weekly meetings are held in Room 236 of the student union every Thursday at 7 p.m., offering a consistent space for connection and cultural celebration.
More than just a club, LHA strives to be a "second home" for students, according to Nahomi Balcazar Velazquez, a senior communication sciences and disorders major and LHA president. Balcazar Velazquez, who has been involved with LHA since her freshman year and on the executive board since her sophomore year, emphasized the club’s role in providing support and a sense of belonging away from home. The organization works to ensure its members feel they have a significant place within the broader App State community, recognizing that the university environment can be challenging for students from minority groups.
Lea Morales, a junior middle grades education major and one of LHA’s public relations chairs, explained that the alliance aims to maintain a strong sense of pride in members' identities and origins. This shared pride is intended to remind students that they belong in any setting and can excel. Through its various initiatives, LHA seeks to empower its members, fostering confidence in their backgrounds and ensuring they understand their importance within the community.
LHA organizes numerous events throughout each semester, all designed with deep cultural roots to celebrate heritage and foster enjoyment. These activities range from playing the traditional game "Lotería" during club meetings to hosting vibrant, campus-wide festivals that attract students across App State, often held on Sanford Mall.
Among its most significant events is the Hispanic Heritage Festival, held each fall in observance of Hispanic Heritage Month. Balcazar Velazquez described this festival as a large celebration on Sanford Mall, featuring food, performers, and vendors. Last year, the event also included an an art show that beautifully conveyed the experience of being Hispanic Latino, an aspect Balcazar Velazquez particularly enjoyed.
The spring semester brings LHA’s second-largest annual event, Taste of Latin America. This occasion sees volunteers contributing their favorite cultural dishes from across the Latin Hispanic world, offering a diverse culinary experience. Another highly anticipated event, and Morales's favorite, is the Latin Olympics. Participants form groups and engage in various minigames rooted in Latin Hispanic cultures, such as the Payaso de Rodeo dance. Morales expressed enjoyment in witnessing members have fun and bond during these team-oriented activities.
By consistently hosting events and pursuing its mission, LHA has made its presence known on the App State campus, contributing to a much-needed atmosphere of diversity and inclusivity, according to Balcazar Velazquez. Students have approached club leaders, expressing gratitude for finding their community and a space where they can be their authentic selves and experience a sense of familiarity often lacking elsewhere on campus.
Morales reiterated LHA's overarching goal: to empower all members and the broader community to be confident in their identities and origins, knowing their contributions matter. She emphasized that the club does not aim to exclude anyone but rather embraces all who seek connection, stating that individuals belong wherever they aspire to be. She also highlighted that LHA serves as a reminder that “si se puede,” an empowering phrase meaning "it is possible" or "yes, it can be done," encouraging members to overcome challenges.
LHA's doors are open to everyone seeking a safe space, community encouragement, and an opportunity to explore and celebrate cultures. Meetings welcome all, taking place weekly in Room 236 of the Plemmons Student Union at 7 p.m.
