Mexican and Latine Sonoma State University students got a major chance to celebrate their culture and have a good time on April 28 with SSU club Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán’s Noche De Baile featuring live music from local band La Banda Congora. 

Students from any background were welcome to join and get down, but MEChA’s Internal Vice President Robbie Campos felt a lot of pride/orgullo that night culturally. “Orgullo in our Culture. Orgullo in our Presence and Orgullo for being there in the moment.”

According to SSU’s website, MEChA is a “cultural, political, and social chartered student organization” that has existed in some form or another since the early 60s, shortly after SSU opened its doors in 1961. As the first Raza organization at SSU, they have always dealt with different issues and proper representation for Hispanic/Latine students. MEChA adopted its current name in 1970. El Movimiento Estudiantíl Chicano de Aztlán roughly translates to The Student-run Movement of Chicanos from Aztlán, which is the original homeland of Aztec people that stretched from about what is now known as Oregon to Texas. 

From 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., Ballroom A of the Student Center was transformed into a dance floor. The band arrived ready to rock in matching customized sparkling red suits with a traditional full brass, woodwind, and percussion band. The turnout for the event was massive, and according to Campos, about 200 students participated. He said, “The most I’ve seen is about 100-110!”

Fourth-year Math major Jay Magana-Fierro said “I was filled with immense joy to hear that there was going to be a live banda on campus playing for us! I was also excited to dress up in vaquero, it was very affirming and euphoric.” Similarly in an after-event survey sent out to participants, Campos said “A lot of them said this was the first time they were EVER able to express their culture at SSU.”

Robbie Campos, a third-year Psychology major and Spanish minor, was the lead organizer for the Friday night event. He realized a ‘Noche De Baile’ event had not been thrown at SSU since 2018 and said “Why not do it bigger and better than ever done before and make history while we’re at it?” When he brought the idea to MEChA President Blanca Ruiz, they agreed Noche would be a great opportunity for MEChA to express their culture and they know how to have a good time whenever they can.

Speaking on other campus organizations that helped with ‘Noche’ Campos said “We had a TON of help from Bianca Delgado from Student Involvement & Shelly from the HUB. Without them, I don’t think I would have been able to host such a big event.” The HUB Cultural Center also helped MEChA reach its funding needs to make Noche De Baile happen. 

The whole event was planned in the span of three weeks, which was a tall task for an event of this size. On how he persevered through his work, Campos reminded himself that “I knew what I wanted, how I wanted it, and when I wanted it and I was very determined.” That pride in one’s determination is ultimately what enabled so many Seawolves to express their own pride during Noche De Baile.