Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States. Many students on campus have grown up with the language or utilize it in other spaces. Regardless of individual reason, being able to learn a new language is easier when there’s a supportive and engaging group of people to learn with.
The Spanish Club’s primary goal is to build a community where people can practice Spanish regardless of their language proficiency level, and to help members maintain and improve their Spanish language skills. Natallia Ruiz, the founder and president of the Spanish Club, has been speaking Spanish her whole life and wanted to be a part of a club where she can continue to practice her Spanish.
“In elementary, I kind of lost it. Then growing up, in middle school and high school, I was able to speak it a little bit more with my friends,” Ruiz said. “And now at NMSU, I have more people I can speak Spanish with.”
The club was encouraged by Claudia Gonzalez, the Student Program Coordinator for Latin American Programs, so that students who are learning and practicing Spanish can have a place to engage with each other. She asked Ruiz to help with starting the club and shape the space to welcome other students.
“We’re small, and I feel like if we were able to get more people into the Spanish club, we could build a better community for ourselves,” Gonzalez said.
She wants to continue to grow club membership since it started last fall. Mason, the club treasurer, who stated he did not want his last name published, is in the process of enhancing his Spanish-speaking skills. He has been taking Spanish classes since high school.
“One of my favorite things about the language is the beautiful pronunciation to it, and it’s one of the more common languages in the U.S., particularly this region,” Mason said.
He said he is motivated to grow the club and share his passion for the culture.
“It provides a safe space for me to authentically express myself through fashion,” he said.
Mason grew up in Carlsbad, New Mexico, and is a second year student at NMSU. Attending a school and growing up in a town with a large Hispanic demographic, learning some Spanish was helpful to communicate in different settings.
“I used to work in food service over the summer, where there were a few customers, I had to speak Spanish to. They were very picky about how they wanted their sandwiches, and I worked with them and helped them make their sandwiches, even though I doesn’t speak conversational Spanish, but could still help,” Mason said.
Ruiz and Mason are excited for the rest of Latin Heritage Month, which will continue to be celebrated throughout October. In addition to those celebrations hosted by Latin American Programs, there will be a themed meal at the Taos event, which Ruiz said will include food from different Latin-speaking countries. The event will have volunteer opportunities to get the chance to help in the kitchen during the event, and tabling opportunities where people can learn more about the Latin American Programs.
The club is in its early stages but committed to expanding and creating a supportive language learning environment. The club also set up a Crimson Connection page and has tabling events.
