Northwestern’s Latine Student Alliance, Alianza, hosted its winter ball “Baile Inolvidable” on Saturday at Five & Dime to create a space for Latino community members to come together.
“I feel like the Latino community on campus can be pretty disconnected and that’s something that we, at Alianza, are trying to get better at,” Medill junior and Alianza Associated Student Government Senator Vincent Díaz Bonacquisti said.
Weinberg sophomore and Alianza Treasurer Abdel Aguilar said the community aspect was an important part of the purpose of the event, especially since it also honored Britney Perez, a Northwestern student who passed away last year.
Aguilar said that the group is raising funds for Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, Inc., an organization that provides legal services to immigrant families, and an important cause for Perez.
“It was to honor her legacy, as someone who was very involved in this community,” he said. “Especially in these uncertain times with the government. We just want to give back to as many people as we could.”
The event had bright LED lights and a chandelier hanging from the top. It also included a taco bar and desserts, such as churros and carrot cake. It also featured several NU Latino musical bands.
The Latin Music Ensemble and Mariachi Northwestern performed live, which Weinberg junior Alexa Núñez Magaña said brought a different energy to the event.
“You can feel it,” Núñez Magaña said. “You can feel every instrument around you, you can see them. You can see the performers enjoying the music, so it makes you enjoy it more.”
SESP junior Valeria Sanchez Villarreal said the live performances allowed her to similarly embody the experience, since she was with her friends and people who share the same love for music.
She added that the atmosphere felt lively and heartfelt.
“I’m just really happy taking away some good memories, especially this being my third year, and being able to spend time with the people that I love,” Sanchez Villarreal said.
Núñez Magaña said it has been a hard time for everyone in the community because of the increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and she is proud of her community for being able to still find places to enjoy themselves.
She added that the University’s lack of support and addressing current challenges was stressful for her and the community.
“I’m very happy to see that we still have moments and spaces where we can celebrate, where we can feel safe, where we can feel like we can enjoy ourselves,” Núñez Magaña said. “So, I feel pretty proud of my community. Very happy to be here.”
Aguilar said he wants others to know that no matter where they are, the Alianza community exists for them.
“Regardless of where you are, whether it’s you on Northwestern, whether it’s back home, they’re always gonna have a place to call home,” Aguilar said.
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— ‘She left a mark’: Loved ones afar, on campus remember Britney Perez
— Alianza’s Central American Committee explores members’ shared heritage in first meeting
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