The Student Organization of Latines: Tradition, Love, and Communidad

The SOL multicultural suite (gifted by Elena M. Bernal ’94) showcases the bouncing energy and creativity of past and present SOL members. On the left side of the suite, an intricate mural from 2009 resides, while smaller pieces of art created by SOL alums are scattered throughout the rest of the room. From drawings to paintings to souvenirs, these serve as memories of the SOL members who have fostered the Latinx community in Grinnell.

Even now, stepping into the Student Organization of Latinx (SOL) is like a breath of fresh air. You enter a seemingly stale classroom for a SOL meeting but, instead, are greeted by energetic, chatty SOL members. The ~sunny~ SOL members keep the space cozy as they sit on the tables and spread out across the carpeted floor. For Sonia Benitez ’23, joining SOL meant purposefully surrounding herself with a community of Latinx people. As a result, she found that her SOL peers were always excited to laugh and discuss their shared cultural experiences.

For others, their experience with the SOL community began online. Giovanna Romero ’24 attended her first SOL meetings as a first-year student online but rapidly settled into SOL’s in-person community the following year. Romero found that the SOL community immediately understood the significance of everyone’s cultural background and accepted everyone as family.

Bringing Back Tradition

Both Benitez and Romero returned to SOL for the 2022–23 school year to make the organization stronger than ever. When the pandemic hit, some traditions were discontinued, but the co-leaders are determined to reinstate them.

• Quince: a shortened form of the word Quinceañera, SOL traditionally hosts a cultural gathering where students enjoy a dance performance and Latinx food from Des Moines or Iowa City. In Latinx culture, 15-year-old girls (otherwise known as the Quinceañera) are celebrated with a huge cultural party to highlight their journey into becoming young women. Typically, the Quinceañera showcases various dances (waltzes, a doll dance, and a surprise dance) with their Court of Honor, usually composed of several good friends. SOL hosts Quince for a SOL senior member who did not have a Quinceañera growing up. This year, SOL is planning to bring the tradition back.
• SOL Potluck: A true community event, Grinnell funds students to cook cherished and delicious Latinx dishes. SOL members then share their childhood recipes with their fellow SOL peers in an intimate classroom setting. Latine professors and faculty of color are invited to join with their own special dishes. Examples of dishes are traditional Latine soups, empanadas, arepas, and chicken tinga.
• Latino Heritage Festival: Des Moines hosts Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival every year for September’s National Hispanic Heritage Month. An exciting state event, Grinnell College provides transportation for SOL members to attend and enjoy the Latinx food trucks and performances from those in the Latinx community. This tradition was temporarily halted due to COVID, but 2022–23 SOL members enjoyed the festival this year.
• Reggaeton: This year, SOL hosted its annual Reggaeton dance party at the end of Hispanic Heritage Month. For this event, SOL members and leadership decorate Main Lounge with flags and design a ~popping~ playlist. SOL members and the rest of campus are invited to dance their hearts out to reggaeton and other Latine music.

New Traditions and Memories

Though it is very important to honor the past, SOL is creating a personality of its own this year, hoping to host new events and create meaningful social change. For fun, SOL is planning a field day in the spring weather, surrounded by water balloons, grilling, and each other. SOL is also enhancing its outreach strategies so that Latine students can find the affinity space immediately after arriving on campus. SOL leadership hopes this will help those who are particularly struggling to transition into the larger Grinnell community. In casual meetings, members play “Dios Mio!” (My God!), a Latinx version of “Cards Against Humanity.” Members also enjoy “Loteria,” a Mexican version of bingo. Sometimes, SOL leadership provides self-care and study break-themed meetings, such as pupusa night during finals week, where students could relax and work on some arts and crafts. SOL also plans to connect with Latinx alumni and build relationships with Latines of Grinnell. Yes, there are Latines who grow up and live in Iowa!

As SOL continues to grow, SOL leadership is looking to expand the SOL multicultural suite to accommodate its members. SOL hopes this will encourage members to use the space for meetings, studying, decorating, and watching TV. SOL is also ramping up to reopen the multicultural kitchen in the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center to allow members to cook more frequently. In addition, SOL is consistently working to help its members navigate the racism that permeates Grinnell and the larger nation. As an organization oriented toward Latine students, SOL provides a safe space for members to speak freely of their experiences without repercussions.

Peering into the Future

Of course, none of this is possible without the involvement of all SOL members, including first-year students. Every year, SOL offers intern cabinet positions to first and second-year members who are excited to kick things off within SOL. Romero says, “First-years give a lot of hope because they are excited about everything. First-years are our most consistent and energetic members.” SOL cabinet interns shadow SOL leadership and learn the basics behind organizing events, submitting budgets, and sending membership emails. By planting the SOL seed, first-year members will grow to plant SOL seeds for future leaders and members of SOL.

Information for Current Students

The Student Organization of Latinx (SOL) meeting times change every semester; for spring of 2023, community hour is 4–5 p.m. on Tuesdays, while formal meetings are 2–3 p.m. on Saturdays. Stay updated with SOL news, events, and more by following SOL on Facebook and Instagram (@grinnellcollegesol). Email SOL to get added to their mailing list.