Students held colorful, decorated boards, waiting in anticipation for the announcer’s next words. Going faster as the game went on, the announcer was suddenly cut off by students racing to yell, “Lotería!”
Hilltopper Organization of Latin American Students (HOLAS) hosted “Lotería Night,” Wednesday, in the DSU Night Class for Hispanic Heritage Month.
HOLAS partnered with the Omega Delta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority for the event. FirstGen also sold baked goods like cookies, brownies and fresas con crema to attendees with cash.
“Lotería” is a traditional Mexican game similar to bingo, but images are used instead of numbers.
Using pinto beans and rocks to mark off their boards, attendees listened carefully as various pictures were announced in Spanish.“El Corazon (The Heart),” “La Sirena (The Mermaid)” and “La Rosa (The Rose)” were some of the various pictures drawn on the cards.
Winners could choose from many prizes, including a variety of snacks and drinks. The final two winners also won mugs.
HOLAS Outreach Coordinator Emely Olvera, senior business management major, handed out and checked potential winners’ cards throughout the night.
Olvera said the event was a good way to distract everyone from everyday life. She said some attendees were also introduced to the culture, foods and snacks surrounding “Lotería.”
“It’s good for everyone to come out because, as you can see, everyone’s welcome,” Olvera said.
Attendees were also able to win “Lotería” multiple times, some going home with handfuls of snacks and goodies.
Noah Villanueva, freshman film production major, left with Jarritos soda and spicy ramen in hand after winning “Lotería” twice.
Villanueva, an HOLAS member, said he attended the event to try to get out into the community.
“I’m Puerto Rican, but I haven’t been super immersed in my culture,” Villanueva said. “So, this is a way to help me learn more about myself, more about my roots, more about my people.”
Villanueva said the event provided a good opportunity for students to meet people from different cultures.
“If you want to just come check out, see the culture, get immersed in what’s going on, it’s a great learning experience and gets some diversity going while you’re in college,” Villanueva said.
