Bilingual chisme, laughter, music, dancing and singing radiated throughout the crisp evening air of Thurston Avenue’s 500 Block last Friday evening, September 5, 2025, echoing throughout lower North Campus as the sun went down. Latino Living Center (LLC) annual tradition, hosted their annual Bienvenidos BBQ in the courtyard between sides A and B, where more than 30 of Cornell’s Latine student organizations tabled, providing free snacks and swag while supplying any student from any study the ability to find a home away from home.
Fourth-semester Latina/o Studies student intern Angel Escamilla '28 College of Arts and Sciences, phrased such sentiment best– “the nice thing about [Bienvenidos] is that it is inviting to everyone, you don’t have to be from a certain culture or heritage to be involved or participate in this event. Anyone can come and learn about the organizations on campus and get a sense of the Latino community.”
Bienvenidos, attendee Miguel Gonzalez '28 College of Arts and Sciences, noted that although he just joined the group this semester, “it’s a place where you can discuss Latino politics.” So far, he has enjoyed his time there.
Other featured organizations are more specific, catering to particular identities within the Latine community, such as the Haitian Student Association. The organization’s current Head of External Outreach, Michel Adelien '26 College of Arts and Sciences, noted that he has been involved since his sophomore year, where he started as the Head of Event Planning. The evening concluded with luminary performances under whimsical string lights from Mariachi Regional en Cornell, Sabor Latino Dance Ensemble, and dance performances from select Latine sororities and fraternities.
Reflecting on the importance of Bienvenidos, Adelien emphasized how the Haitian Student Association has a “...very strong connection with the Caribbean and Latino student organizations, we definitely have made a lot of strong ties within the past years…I think someone joining the Haitian Student Association would definitely benefit them in terms of those connections with other organizations on campus.”
Events like Bienvenidos are more valuable than ever. Escamilla highlighted how students feeling out of place in a place like Cornell can not only “detract not just from their mental well-being, but also from their academic performance and their personal life, too.” Such a support network matters because, as Adelien remarkably declared, “we will still be here no matter what and we will always find a way.”
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