ECC adds Family Day to Latino Heritage Month
It's never too early to plan for college and career.
That's why family members of all ages are welcome at Elgin Community College's Family Day, also known as Dia de la Familia, on Sept. 19.
The event is the newest addition to the college's monthlong observance of its Latino Heritage Month, this year marking its 25th anniversary.
ECC will present a series of eight events beginning Sept. 11 and wrapping up Oct. 14, a time frame that parallels National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Family Day will offer assistance with planning for college, including information about admissions and financial aid, said Rudy Yanez, ECC student life coordinator.
There will also be helpful information available for families of students moving from elementary to middle school and from middle school to high school, he said.
Yanez said college staff members will lead small group discussions with parents and older children while younger children at the event will enjoy supervised craft projects.
"The purpose is to be focused on what you need to do to get to the next steps," said Yanez.
The event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Building C library. There is no admission fee.
The month gets off to a high-powered start with an appearance by a well-known Latino leader.
Chuy Garcia, a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and recent Chicago mayoral candidate, will be the keynote speaker at the Latino Heritage Month Kick-Off Breakfast, set for 8 to 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, in Building E.
"It's a community event. We usually get a pretty good turnout," said Yanez. He said 200 to 250 people are expected to attend.
Tickets are $20 for community members and $12 for ECC students.
"We're really excited about that," said Antonio Ramirez, ECC history instructor. "He's a really important figure in the Chicago area and has been for a long time."
Ramirez and students in his class, "History of U.S. Latinos," will present their research findings from 11 a.m. to noon Monday, Oct. 5, in the Building B hallway, as part of the month's celebration.
The presentation will center on 25 years of Latino history at the college.
"Latinos have a long history here at the college," said Ramirez. "Our student body is around 40 percent Latino right now. That's increased over the years."
More broadly, it will touch on Latino history in the Elgin area and beyond, stretching back more than 100 years, he said.
The arts also will figure into the month's calendar, with a screening of "Bless Me, Ultima," set for 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, in Building C. The movie, a drama set in New Mexico during World War II, will be followed by a discussion.
On Thursday, Sept. 24, no less than five Latino comics will perform in the Spartan Auditorium from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets for "Los Compadres of Comedy" are priced at $5.
"All Things Latino," a Jeopardy-style contest set for noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, in the Building B Jobe Lounge, will give participants a chance to test their knowledge of Latino culture and popular cultural icons. Teams of four students and/or ECC employees will compete.
Also in the Jobe Lounge, students and ECC staff will have a discussion titled "Dreamers: Achieving the American Dream" from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 14.
And on Oct. 9, the Wise Latina Brunch will feature recognition of inspiring, accomplished women and an appearance by author Nora Renteria.
For a complete list of events, visit elgin.edu/.
If you go
What: 25th annual Latino Heritage Month at Elgin Community College
When: Events take place Sept. 11 through Oct. 14
Where: Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin
Details: <a href="http://elgin.edu/news.aspx?id=21067">elgin.edu</a> and (847) 697-1000