WKCTC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage

Includes Food, Film, Art and Discovery

MEDIA RELEASE: PADUCAH, KY (08/30/2017) Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The month-long celebration includes a variety of events.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College will kick off its eleventh annual Hispanic Heritage celebration September 18 at 11 a.m. in the Student Center.

The celebration will include music and tastings of authentic Hispanic food, inspired by recipes of WKCTC Venezuelan student Victoria Salas.

An added feature of the vent will be a viewing of the Academy Award winning documentary, Inocente - the story of a 15-year-old Hispanic girl who despite her challenges and being homeless, survived and overcame her circumstances with her passion and talent for art.

"We first showed the film to the community and students three years ago, just after the film won the Academy Award. The film is still very relevant to a variety of issues including homelessness and the power of art and self-discovery, said Carolyn Perry, WKCTC professor of Spanish and Hispanic Heritage Celebration coordinator. "Everyone who sees the documentary will come away changed for the better," said Perry.

The month-long celebration also includes other WKCTC activities that are free and open to the public.

WKCTC Paducah School of Art and Design Display - September 15-October 15

WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design will show a unique juxtaposition of Old Spain and New Spain with photos of the college's Cuba trip by WKCTC student, Phyllis Russell, and photos of Spain by PSAD faculty member, Randy Simmons. Photos will be displayed at PSAD's 2D and Graphic Design Building located at 905 Harrison Street.

Matheson Coffee Mondays - September 25-October 9 and 16 Matheson Learning Resource Center, 2nd Floor Visit the Matheson Library to view a display of Hispanic resources at the WKCTC campus. Free coffee and Hispanic refreshments from 8 a.m. until noon on these days.

Study Abroad Cuba Presentation - October 2, 11 a.m to noon. Matheson Library Reading Room This event will feature travelers' experiences and photos from the May, 2017 trip to Cuba. They will share their travels to the capital city of Havana and other parts of Cuba, which included visits to a Santería, a sugar factory; art studios; Ernest Hemingway's home. The presentation will also include highlights of Cuban history and culture as well as fascinating photos of Cuban vintage cars.

For more information about the WKCTC Hispanic Heritage Celebration contact Carolyn Perry at (270) 534-3205 or carolyns.perry@kctcs.edu .

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West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) has been recognized as an Aspen Prize Top 10 Community College each of the four times the Prize has been awarded by the Aspen Institute and has twice been named a Finalist with Distinction for providing students with strong job training and continuing higher education opportunity, for achieving high completion and transfer rates, and for providing strong employment results for its graduates.