La Casa Cultural Latina hosted its annual Paleta Social Monday evening, serving as a community-building event and kickoff to the 2025-26 school year.
The event officially began at 6 p.m., but by 5:50 p.m., the line to get a free paleta already stretched from the back of La Casa to South Mathews Avenue. Students, staff and faculty had to present either their Illinois app or i-card to get a free frozen treat.
Over 45 RSOs a part of the La Casa Alliance of Student Organizations also attended the event, with tables and displays lining the north and south lawns of La Casa.
Among the many present organizations was Prospanica, an RSO geared toward empowering Hispanic professionals. Karen Alvarez, Prospanica’s president and junior in Media, spoke to The Daily Illini about her experience at the event.
“Paleta Social is an event where Latinos come together, and we specifically cater towards incoming freshmen, underclassmen and transfer students, so that they really get the chance to really see Latinos on campus and see what’s there for them at this university,” Alvarez said.
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The types of RSOs varied from Latin Greek life to major-specific LCASO organizations to pre-professional societies. Many tables passed out flyers, pamphlets and candy to interested attendees.
“I would say the vibe here, if I were to summarize it with one word, would be community,” said Mayra Ortega, co-founder of the Hispanic Student Nursing Association and senior at the University of Illinois Chicago. “We’re all here for the same purpose: to build that foundation of Hispanic students. We want to empower them and empower their interests.”
As stated on its website, the mission of La Casa is to promote a welcoming and dynamic atmosphere through various programs to empower Latina/o students at the University. Data from this past spring shows that 15.5% of University students self-identified as Hispanic.
“Considering that this is a PWI (predominantly white institution), it does feel kind of like a struggle to find your place here,” Alvarez said. “I know when I first moved in as a freshman, I was like, ‘Wow, where are the Latinos?’ And then when I finally met them on Quad Day, they said, ‘Come to the Paleta Social,’ then I popped out, and it was a great time.”
The cultural center promoted the event through social media, dubbing it “THE La Casa event of the year.”
Yvette Urquiaga, vice president of the Peruvian Student Association, expressed her excitement about sharing her heritage with others who may be unfamiliar.
“It’s just kind of cool being in this type of environment,” Urquiaga said. “Not only do you see Hispanic people coming in, (but) you (also) see people from all around the world who are just interested in all these different cultures … I just would like to give a round of applause to all of us for coming and supporting our flags, our cultures — that’s really nice to see.”
Students and community members danced and sang along as music played through speakers. Some attendees played bags, while others chatted in groups next to a fence adorned with flags from around the world.
“Every year is always a great time … everybody is bringing energy,” Alvarez said. “We’re all looking to make new connections, new friendships, join new orgs, and that’s so rich. I love that feeling.”
Just after 7:30 p.m., La Casa staff announced that they had run out of paletas, and those in line soon dispersed.
