Back in 2021, something new was brought to the assortment of groups at Cardinal Gibbons, the Hispanic or Latino Affinity group, otherwise known as HOLA. 

Students from the class of 2023 felt as though something was missing from the already established Affinity groups at Gibbons, and brought it to the attention of educator Mark DeLaRosa. 

DeLaRosa was fond of the idea and decided to put it into motion by establishing the first Affinity group at Gibbons dedicated to the Hispanic and Latino student body, giving them a space to identify and form community with one another. He has now been the moderator for the group since its inception, alongside educator Carolina Domingos. Together, both moderators have made such incredible progress and contributions in supporting this group to thrive at its very fullest.

Now, in 2025, the group is officially known as the Hispanic and Latino Student Union, or abbreviated as HLSU.

What is HLSU?

The student union is sometimes confused with the Spanish Club, though the difference is significant. Spanish Club, like other language-oriented clubs, focuses on learning the language itself. Their meetings typically revolve around the linguistics of Spanish and participating in interactive activities.

HLSU on the other hand, has a much deeper significance than just a language. It’s a student union that dedicates itself to creating a welcoming and representative space for the Latino and Hispanic student body of the school. With the events the group hosts, they strive to help form a community among not just the students and their peers, but among the Hispanic and Latino families of Gibbons, giving them a sense of belonging.

“HLSU gave me a smaller and closer community in such a big school. It was a great way to make new friends I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise,” said Leilani Ortiz, senior leader of HLSU.

Why it’s important

Representation of cultural diversity is incredibly important when wanting to create a welcoming and engaging environment for students to thrive at their fullest, so giving students and families the opportunity to identify with one another and feel representedthrough a group like this is so incredibly important, and makes all the difference when helping to build a support system, which is the foundation for a strong, long-lasting community. 

“Whenever we celebrate ourselves and do it with the rest of the community, involving all of them, everybody learns,” said DeLaRosa, moderator of HLSU.

This year marks the fourth year the Hispanic and Latino Student Union has been thriving, and the students who were freshmen the year it first began are now seniors. The group has been incredibly impactful and significant to their time at Gibbons, and they’ve begun to see the importance of having something like the student union through such crucial and developmental years like high school.

“HLSU has given me a sense of community; it was a good way to meet people like me and make new friends… it provided a sense of stability throughout the years,” said Isabela Santoyo, senior leader of HLSU.

“[HLSU] gave me a sense of community with the solidarity hispanic and latino students shared; after meeting people in the club we always greeted each other and smiled in the halls- something that small that helps you feel at home,” said Natalia Caloca-Desilos, senior leader of HLSU.

Traditions and Events

HLSU has now also started their own traditions, like their annual Family Picnic commemorating National Hispanic Heritage Month where families of HLSU are welcome to enjoy dinner from local latin food trucks and participate in fun activities such as Loteria. This picnic creates the opportunity for social engagement among families and promotes the formation of community.  

“Seeing everyone’s families come and enjoy food together and have fun playing lotería was such a beautiful moment. It’s such a wonderful opportunity for the families to meet and bond over our shared heritage,” said Caloca-Desilos.

Their annual Cinco de Mayo celebration is also a significant tradition as it has become their senior-sendoff event where the members of the graduating class get together one last time, celebrating with fun activities, food, and music. Senior members are also given a thank you letter from HLSU moderators DeLaRosa and Domingos thanking them for their hard work and dedication to the group, a small act with a special meaning for each student who has grown alongside the student union.

“I would say my most memorable moment was reading the letters from the HLSU supervisors during my last meeting. Im so happy to have been a part of this,” said Ortiz.

The Multicultural fair, which has now become a tradition throughout Gibbons, is also significant within the HLSU. Students and parents from all different countries bring homemade dishes and traditional food to the fair and get to share it with others. It’s such an incredible way to experience new cultures and even get to know people you may have not met before with your same identity, furthering that aspect of community outside of the classroom.

Community Involvement

HSLU has also taken initiatives to be more involved and present within the local community, like partnering with the Gibbons Admissions Ambassador to volunteer at local churches after spanish-mass to represent the school. They’d stand in the lobby after the service with flyers for those passing-by, willing and ready to answer any questions about Gibbons in either English or Spanish.

Students of the group going out and getting directly involved with the community in such a way promoted inclusion by helping to break down language barriers for families or parents who otherwise would feel as though English being their second language comes as a limitation, but with this sort of outreach they are met with the resources and willingness to be heard and understood just as everyone else. And it makes all the more difference when that willingness comes from the students themselves, something parents take note of and are happy to see.

HLSU Growth

Through its four years in motion, HLSU has thrived and grown in so many ways beyond its number of memebrs. The group has become more intentional with their events and in how they want to establish themselves as more than just another club at Gibbons.

“We’ve grown in our community and our planning behind our events; we’ve gotten more meaningful with the things we’re hosting,” said Santoyo.

Specifically, starting this year ‘HOLA’ was officially established as a student union rather than an affinity group, giving it the name HLSU. This was a milestone for the group as it formalized their dedication to creating a space of belonging for the Latino and Hispanic students of the school.

“It started as a small club and I think the greatest improvement was the transition from HOLA club to HLSU, a student union,” said Ortiz.

The ‘25 Seniors’ Legacy

Through helping create and continue these traditions the previous graduating classes established, the class of 2025 has made their legacies here at Gibbons through the Latino and Hispanic Student Union, one they hope continues to create a sense of belonging for the Latino and Hispanic student body of the school that’s to come.

The graduating seniors encourage Latino and Hispanic students looking for a group to share their cultural heritage with, or simply to socialize with others you can relate to, to join the Hispanic and Latino Student Union for the invaluable friendships, memories, and experiences you’ll gain.

“[HLSU] will make your high school experience 100% better and will provide you with a community and a place you can be yourself and be proud of your culture, your heritage and who you are,” said Santoyo.

They hope this group they’ve put so much love and dedication into continues to thrive after they graduate, knowing each year when a new class of freshmen walk the halls looking for a sense of belonging, they’ll find it within HLSU and continue the traditions they’re leaving for them to carry out.