Cecilia Engbert
Assistant Editor
Latino music and food drew dozens of students to the basketball courts by the community center in Assisi Heights Friday evening.
Hosted by the Franciscan University of Steubenville Latinos for Christ club, the “Carne Asada” — which means “grilled meat” in Spanish and referred both to the name of the event and the main dish — was the group’s first big event of the semester.
Members of Latinos for Christ brought various cultural foods, including quesadillas, Dominican rice, pineapple beverages, plenty of guacamole and much more to share. Thin slices of beef, the carne asada for which the event was named, were grilled by members of the club while people lined up to fill their plates.
The Rev. Rufino Corona, TOR, led everyone in a blessing before the food was served.
As the evening went on, the music became louder and could be heard throughout the Heights neighborhood. People began dancing almost immediately and the energy only increased as the night went on.
The crowd became lively when the popular Hispanic line dance “Payaso del Rodeo” began. Another favorite was “La Vaca.”
Junior Clara Ramirez, an officer for Latinos for Christ, said the semester’s kickoff event was a great success.
“We usually only do one event, which is our big dance, and we (decided) we should do something else to have more events (throughout the semester),” Ramirez said. “I think it went really well! It was so good, it was awesome! … This year we have a really good team.”
Daniela Zuniga, a new transfer student, said, “I felt very welcomed! I felt like I was with family having a good time embracing our culture.”
Junior Clare McGahan said, “Good food, good music, great people. Can’t wait for the next Latinos for Christ event!”
Latinos for Christ club meets weekly for Bible study Mondays 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Gentile Gallery and all are welcome. They also have periodic meetings. For more information, follow their Instagram account @latinosforchrist.fus.
The club’s next event is a salsa dance Oct. 3.