Earlier this week, Troy University’s Spanish Club organized an interest meeting
for the semester, opening its door to all students regardless of their background or
experience in the language.
“We want to bring awareness to the culture and tradition of Latin American
countries,” said Alondra Jaimes-Pena, the secretary and treasurer of the Spanish
Club and a sophomore political science major from Birmingham, Alabama. “You
don't have to know Spanish, be Hispanic or be a Spanish major or minor; you just
have to want to learn.”
The club, however, is about more than just the Spanish languages. The club’s
president said that their main focus is on Spanish culture and the meanings behind it.
“Understanding other cultures expands our minds, and it enforces the growth
mindset that we have here at Troy, and that we should have in general,” said Elijah
Brooks, president of the Spanish Club and a junior psychology major from Luverne,
Alabama. “Once you understand a different culture, you are able to adapt your own
views to encapsulate things you wouldn’t normally experience”
Jaimes-Pena said the club is a learning experience for her as well, even though she
is Hispanic herself.
“I know about my own culture, but I’ve been able to learn about other cultures like
Columbia and places like that, and I like being able to teach people things from my
family and my culture,” Jaimes-Pena said.
The club holds presentations in which members will inform their peers about the
food, music, traditions or overall culture of a specific country, whether it be their
country of origin or one they have a particular interest in.
The club also holds multiple events a semester to help support and raise awareness
for Hispanic organizations and cultures.
For the week of Valentine’s Day, the club will be partnering with the Pulsera
Project, a non-profit organization, which will be sending some pulseras (traditional
Latin-American bracelets) and bolsitas (little bags). The club will be selling these
items in the Trojan Center Food Court.
All profits will be going back to the Pulsera Project so that the craftspeople that
make the bracelets can make the money they deserve for their art.
Even though their interest meeting has passed, anybody is welcome to join at any
time. Information about future meetings as well as future events will be posted on
the club’s Instagram @spanishclubtroyu.
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