Hispanic Club President Shares Story of Growing Up Mexican-American
Senior urges others to embrace their culture and identity
Sacred Heart University senior and La Hispanidad Club president Cithlaly Palacios is proud of her culture and excited to talk about Hispanic Heritage Month with her peers at SHU.
Hispanic Heritage Month, which extends through Oct. 15, celebrates the achievements and contributions of Hispanic-Americans who inspired others to succeed. The celebration started as a week-long event in 1968 and expanded to a month in 1988.
As president of La Hispanidad, Palacios, 21, enjoys meeting with Hispanic and non-Hispanic students who want to learn about their culture. The club meets bi-weekly and provides a safe place for students to reconnect or stay connected to their Hispanic heritage. Club members share the richness of their culture through campus-wide events, and they fundraise for local charities.
“We create a safe, relaxed environment for everyone,” said Palacios, a biology major on the pre-med track. “You don’t have to be Hispanic to join; all are welcome.”
Palacios was secretary of La Hispanidad her sophomore year and co-president her junior year. After spending a year in virtual meetings, she is pleased to meet in person again with her peers, who are equally excited. “There is so much energy,” she said. “Everyone is so eager to get events going, and I really like building connections with them.”
The club recently hosted a salsa night on the patio outside of Naclerio Commons. Students walking by noticed the music, food, laughter and instructor-provided dance lessons and asked what was going on. They joined in the fun and learned about the club.
Club members aim to help people feel comfortable, especially those who may feel isolated or insecure in their own skin. That's something Palacios, who is Mexican-American, said she understands. Her parents came to the United States from Mexico, and they worked hard to start a life and provide ample opportunities for her and her older sister.
As a young girl growing up in Wallingford, Palacios noticed she had darker skin than her friends and neighbors, and she remembers trying to scrub her skin to make it lighter. In time, she learned to embrace all aspects of her Mexican heritage. She danced folklórico—a traditional Mexican dance that emphasizes folk culture—and she enjoyed family gatherings and various Mexican holidays and celebrations.
However, she gained new appreciation for her culture at age 17, when her parents became United States citizens. “They were so proud to become Americans,” said Palacios. Yet, she couldn’t help but think of what they were giving up by resigning their Mexican citizenship. “It made me a little sad,” she said.
Everything her parents did was for their daughters. “They just wanted to provide for us and make us happy,” she recalled. They also instilled in her from a young age the importance of college. “My parents really value education. They didn’t have that opportunity, but they wanted me to have that.”
Palacios plans to take a gap year after graduation. She will study for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and then apply to medical school to become a pediatrician. “A doctor gives back to people,” she said.
She’s already getting her feet wet in the field. Two or three days a week, she works at Norwalk Hospital’s emergency department as a medical scribe, following a doctor and recording notes about patients. “I’m learning a lot,” she said. “It’s been an amazing experience, and it really reinforces that this is what I want to do.”
Her parents are proud to see her excel in her studies and work, and to see her join clubs and honor societies. “They think it’s amazing I’m in La Hispanidad and that I’m vocal about our heritage,” she said.
In upcoming meetings, La Hispanidad members will talk about what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them. Palacios thinks the month is about celebrating all things Hispanic and reminding Hispanics to be themselves, feel special and value their culture. “You don’t want to be just a number,” she said. “Being Mexican is who I am; it made me the person I am today.”
Palacios believes in embracing one’s identity. “People are going to judge you in life, no matter what color you are, so be proud of who you are. You were born this way for a reason.”