Although the initial reaction to the name SALSA Club would be the dip or the dance, the club embodies the Hispanic culture throughout the world. The Spanish and Latino Student Association convenes every third Thursday of the month and is led by Diana Garatonandia, who is also known as Señora Garatonandia to her students and club members abroad.

The members of SALSA Club get to meet with kids who have similar backgrounds and can have relative conversations on heritage and language. The student population has increased every year and has shown what a good job Mrs. Garatonandia has done since taking charge of the group.

“The kids really seem to enjoy it, the Latino population has increased and there have also been other ethnic background increases in the group.”

The club is really geared to learning the Spanish culture, holidays and customs. So far, they have celebrated the Day of the Dead, which is a Mexican holiday that focuses on the gathering of friends and family members and remembering loved ones that have passed. During Christmas they will celebrate a Spanish tradition of placing a baby Jesus in a cake, the cake will then be split and whoever has the baby in their piece will win a prize.

In March the club will be having a fun presentation, they will be bringing in Latin dancers and they will be performing a show for the kids. After the presentation they will be showed how to dance and will have a Latin Dance Night.

Garatonandia has been a part of this club for 6 years and has enjoyed all the time she has been part of it.

“We always have food, it is always a celebration. Kids get to have somewhere to communicate with one another and Hispanics can get together and exchange their cultures, and it seems like new people are always joining.”

The club isn’t exclusive to only Spanish speaking people, anyone who is interested in the Spanish culture is invited and encouraged to join. The club is always open to join and meet in Room B122 every third Thursday.