Mission Statement
The primary goal of Raíces is to act as a resource for students of Latin American backgrounds and increase awareness on issues related to Latinx culture, history, philosophy, people and other facets. Raíces is a safe space for Latinx students to learn more about their roots and express their culture in the Skidmore community. Events sponsored and/or organized by Raíces primarily concern, but are not limited to, aspects of Latinx culture for their essence or their relation to other topics in which Raíces chooses to pursue.
I have participated in multiple positions on the Executive Board for Raíces, the Hispanic and Latine students. I have held a position as treasurer in Fall ’23, President Fall ’25, and will hold a future position as the Vice President in Spring ’26
Why Raíces is Important to Me!
Being involved with Raíces has caused me to make so many meaningful and substantial connections with other community members whom I may otherwise not interact with normally. Raíces allows me to connect to other aspects of my cultural heritage that I haven’t been able to before, like dance and religion. It’s helped me form a closer connection to my family, at times like being away for college, when we are apart, and I’m missing them deeply. I hoped to share a bit of Dominican culture while joining the Raíces eboard. I hoped to spread joy and excitement with our events for our community, and seeing the ways we all engaged with one another at the events has brought me so much joy during my time at Skidmore.
New Events
Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual event for Raices that features Mis Raíces Son week. This year’s event week added two new events, including a Batacha Workshop to “Gabriela” by Kateye, and Convivio De Juegos, which hosted an outdoor picnic with catered food, games such as Loteria, Dominoes, and Volleyball.
Dia de Los Muertos is an annual holiday of celebrating the dead family members that is celebrated every year with an altar at Skidmore. A big premise of the holiday is contributing food to an altar to entice spirits to vist. Another new addition was added to the event, a cooking event alongside the alter for the community members to connect with each other with the act of making Food and feeding others!
