NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Jerry Arellano, Director of Public Relations
[email protected] 210.486.3884
Palo Alto College celebrates Heritage Month 2015,
honoring indigenous cultures of South Texas
September 28, 2015 – Alamo Colleges – Palo Alto College will celebrate Heritage Month from Oct. 12 to
Nov. 19 to honor the indigenous heritages of South Texas, such as Native American, Mexican American,
Hispanic, Latino/a, Mexican, Chicano/a, Afro-Latin, and more. The month will include a series of events
including panel discussions, musical and theater performances, recurring film series, and a special
reading by Juan Felipe Herrera, the first Hispanic U.S. Poet Laureate.
“As a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution since 2000, we want our students and our
surrounding community to explore and learn about their culture as well as others,” said Dr. Mike Flores,
president of Palo Alto College. “Providing opportunities for learning and discussion is key to our mission
in making sure our students are empowered for success.”
The kickoff celebration will take place Monday, Oct. 12, with a ceremony led by former Palo Alto College
student and San Antonio Poet Laureate Laurie Ann Guerrero, indigenous blessing featuring the American
Indians in Texas Yanaguana Drummers, followed by a concert from award winning artist Nina Diaz.
“Hopefully, this event will inspire our students and this community to think about their true indigenous
roots and cultural identity,” said Juan Tejeda, faculty advisor for Palo Alto College’s Center for Mexican
American Studies. “We hope our students will be proud of who they are and who we are as a community.”
All 2015 Heritage Month events at Palo Alto College are free and open to the public. The events are cosponsored by the College’s Center for Mexican American Studies and the Office of Student Life. Featured
events include:
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Oct. 12: Opening Ceremony with Indigenous Blessing & Live Performances
Oct. 17: World Premiere of 100% NDN, a stage/dance production by Isaac Cardenas featuring
Jesse Borrego
Oct. 21: “Ancestral Journeys to Now: Reflecting on Chicano/a Identities in Deep Time”, discussion
led by John Phillip Santos
Oct. 29: Panel discussion and excerpts from the documentary film Latina Artist Exploring Who I am:
Adriana Garcia
Nov. 4: Reading and Discussion with Juan Felipe Herrera U.S. Poet Laureate
Nov. 6: Free Friday Film Series/Indigenous Documentaries
Nov. 19: Palo Alto College Music Ensembles Concert
For a full list of scheduled events including times and locations, visit alamo.edu/pac/heritage-month.
Additional information can be requested through Student Life at 210-486-3125.
Palo Alto College, one of the Alamo Colleges, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools Commission on Colleges and a recipient of the 2015 Texas Award for Performance Excellence.
With nearly 9,000 students, Palo Alto College is accredited to offer associate degrees, short-term
certificates and non-credit continuing education classes. The campus is located on the Southside of San
Antonio at 1400 W. Villaret Blvd. at I-410 and Texas Hwy 16 and online at alamo.edu/pac.
-PAC-