Today we continue our newest series: Knights Sound Off, and we do so in hopes of lifting the voices of our brothers, the Honorable Knights of Omega Delta Phi in regards to current events, fraternal news, as well as other on-goings. From September 15th to October 15th, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated in the United States. The month long celebration commemorates the contributions and the legacies of those with Hispanic/Latin roots and who’ve played a pivotal role in the shaping of America and her culture.
According to the United States Census Bureau website, “The observance was born in 1968 when Congress authorized the president to issue an annual proclamation designating National Hispanic Heritage Week. Just two decades later, lawmakers expanded it to a monthlong celebration, stretching from September 15 to October 15.
The timing is key. Hispanic Heritage Month — like its shorter precursor — always starts on September 15, a historically significant day that marks the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The designated period is also a nod to those from Mexico and Chile, which celebrate their independence on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively”
The following Honorable Knights shared their thoughts on Hispanic Heritage Month and what it means to them as well as what their respective colony or chapter are planning on their respective campus.
Ruben Hernandez
Chi Chapter
University of Texas at Austin
Spring 2020
Background: Of Mexican descent, my father and his family are from the state of Coahuila in MX
“Hispanic Heritage Month is a chance for me to celebrate my culture that I was born into. My parents, especially my father, really worked for me to become successful, so I owe it to them to celebrate who I am and where my family comes from.
With the pandemic, it’s a little hard to get together and celebrate but I think we’re just trying our best to keep in mind our identities and who we are. We’re all proud latinos and we’re glad to carry our culture with us”
“My favorite aspects of my culture is the sense of family that I have. I know that if something were to happen to me or I was in need of a lot of help, my family would come to my side and be there for me. Oh, and the food. 🙂
“From what I’ve seen in others around me, some people of Hispanic/Latinx descent lose touch of their culture. A lot of those people aren’t able to speak the language, which is something so important. They also tend to lean to American culture, because that’s what they see more of growing up or even just around them. I think ODP should not only celebrate it, but also help in reinforcing the culture to those who are losing touch”
Diego Diaz-Vega
Beta Nu Chapter
Oklahoma State University
Spring 2020
Background: Both of my parents are from Mexico, my father is from Durango and my mother from Coahuila.
“This month is one of the most important months of my life because Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate not only my heritage but the astonishing feats that many before me and just like me have accomplished.
I think that my favorite part about my culture is the fact that being a hard worker is shown as a privilege. Every opportunity is taken to heart and we put forth our biggest efforts to do the most in everything we do”
“Omega Delta Phi has a major role to play in the celebration of events like these because we bring awareness to these important holiday. Not only do we affect the Hispanic communities areound us but we create the next generation of leaders of any race, so it’s important that we celebrate months like this one and other important holidays in the same fashion to honor our different backgrounds”
Ivan Francisco Bueso
Beta Chi Chapter
Kansas State University
Fall 2018
Background: Esquipulas, Guatemala
“Hispanic Heritage Month means to me to share our cultures/customs to people outside of the Hispanic community & show how diverse it really is. I am able to be who I am fully and that is being Guatemalan. I am able to show different customs that I practice every day within my K-State community.
“Here at Beta Chi, we are still new to campus but we are wanting to collaborate with other Hispanic orgs and just strengthen the bond of the Hispanic community even further. One thing I want to promote at my chapter and community is the different countries represented during Hispanic Heritage Month, not just Mexico. People tend to generalize all Hispanics as being the same but in reality we aren’t. I want to educate people about the different cultures each country has and show people that the Hispanic community itself is diverse with many cultures/customs”
“My favorite aspect of being Guatemalan is the food, I love Guatemalan tamales, ticucos, and garnachas”
Jorge Torres 
Delta Chapter
Texas A&M University
Fall 2006
Alumnus, Weekend Evening Meteorologist at ABC15 Phoenix.
Background: Puerto Rico & México
“HHM is a time when I think about the great leaders within the Latino community whom have left a lasting legacy for us to follow. Cesar Chavez, Rita Moreno, Roberto Clemente, and Jaime Escalante are just some of the many that I look up to. HHM is also a time when I think of the many different nationalities that make up Latinos, including México, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Peru, El Salvador, etc, and how we see their influences across the country. I’m always looking to learn about their customs, traditions, and food.”
“My favorite aspect of my culture is the pride we have in who we are. On the Puerto Rican side, you see the flag on someone’s car or hat and you immediately feel like family. Parrandas, pasteles, making coquito, and receiving gifts on Día De Reyes are amongst my favorite Puerto Rican traditions.
“I think it’s important for ODPhi to commemorate our Hispanic heritage and educate the community about where we came from and what contributions we’ve made to make our city, state, and country better than it was before”