Students and community members shop for treats from local vendors and eat tacos, Oct. 19. (Stephanie Garcia)

The Spanish Club partnered with La Raza Unida, Kappa Delta Chi, Omega Delta Phi and Sigma Lambda Alpha to host Viva MSU at Sunwatcher Plaza on Oct. 19. Viva MSU is a campus tradition in which campus brings local businesses togerther to celebrate Hispanic heritage and Dia de los Muertos. 

From left to right, Martha Rodríguez, Maricela Dominguez and Liliana Martinez take part in “Folklor Latino Wichita Falls”, Oct. 19. (George Svoboda)

Over the past seven years, MOSAIC hosted Viva MSU; however, after the Texas legislature passed SB-17 into law, MOSAIC is now unable to do so. Upon learning of Viva MSU’s cancellation, senior Spanish majors Jessiena Pando and Juanita Orozco teamed up to bring it back.

“And so, MOSAIC let us know that they weren’t able to host it any more thanks to the bill that passed, so me and Juanita Orozco decided that we would take it into our own hands and make this event happen because we know students love it every year,” Pando said.

The table outlines the different items needed for Día de los Muertos altars, also known as Day of the Dead altars, Oct. 19. (George Svoboda)

Local businesses and campus organizations came together to celebrate. The first 100 students to attend received a free ticket to exchange for street tacos of their choice at a local food truck, Tacos y Tortas el Pelon.

The night was highlighted by a jalapeño eating contest and culminated in a Zavala International dance performance by Folklor Latino of Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls locals attended Viva MSU, eating tacos and dancing the night away. 

Ianna Manzy, graphic design freshman, wins the jalapeño eating contest, Oct. 19. (Stephanie Garcia)

“Viva MSU, for MSU, represents us Hispanic Students. That’s why we took it as an initiative for us, especially the Hispanic organizations here to come together and make this event possible,” Pando said.

“It was just Hispanic Heritage Month, and nothing was really here on campus happening about that,” she added.

The Zavala International Dancers perform traditional folklorico dances, Oct. 19. (Stephanie Garcia)

Pando later said that it was important to her to bring MSU and Wichita Falls together as one community and that because the local Hispanic community is always growing, and it is important for MSU to represent them. 

“We always have stuff going on downtown that represents us, but having something on campus is rare and probably happens like once or twice a year,” she said. 

Orozco and Pando are concerned about the future of Viva MSU and they hope that future students step up to continue the tradition.

Jerry and Margaret Stuber dance to Spanish music, Oct. 19. (George Svoboda)