La L.U.C.H.A. Helps Students Find Community on Campus
As he walked across the Shaw Quad during the Orange Blast Involvement Fair, Jesús Tiburcio Zane ’27 was drawn to a particular table that felt like home and tradition, and would connect him to others who would help him find his footing.
That table belonged to Latiné Undergraduates Creating History in America (La L.U.C.H.A.)—the University’s largest Latiné Recognized Student Organization (RSO) and one of its oldest, on campus since 1989.
Soon, executive board members, including Sidney Mejia ’25, G’26, then co-vice president of the RSO, began mentoring Tiburcio Zane, a first-generation college student, sharing their favorite study spots and dining hall recommendations.
“Those tips helped me thrive during my freshman year. With La L.U.C.H.A., I found a home for my Latiné culture and a place where I could share my Mexican traditions and customs,” says Tiburcio Zane, president of La L.U.C.H.A. and a dual major in accounting and entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. “The group helped me find my people, my voice and my community on campus.”
Before she arrived on campus, Diana Bonilla-Prado ’28 made a thorough list of RSOs she hoped to join, with La L.U.C.H.A. among the top.
For Bonilla-Prado, a first-generation college student with family roots from El Salvador, joining La L.U.C.H.A. was a chance to strengthen her connection to her heritage, increase Latiné cultural awareness and give back.
After an introductory meeting with then-president Jasmine Rodriguez ’25, Bonilla-Prado says she knew right away she was where she was meant to be. Today, she serves as La L.U.C.H.A. co-vice president.
“When I came to Syracuse, everything about the college experience was brand new to me. La L.U.C.H.A. welcomed me with open arms and pushed me to become the best version of myself,” says Bonilla-Prado, who is studying political science in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and information management and technology in the School of Information Studies.
The organization is open to all students, regardless of their cultural background or heritage. During Latine Heritage Month, La L.U.C.H.A. organized several events, including “Nuestra Identidad,” an interactive cultural workshop designed to give students a space to explore, celebrate and share who they are; and Café con Leche, a conversation about the history of coffee in Latin America and the Caribbean.
To close out Latine Heritage Month, La L.U.C.H.A. and several other Latin student organizations will come together to enjoy food, music and fun games during Miércoles Gigante!, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the Goldstein Auditorium in the Schine Student Center.
Bonilla-Prado and Tiburcio Zane sat down with Syracuse University Today to discuss their heritage and why students should join La L.U.C.H.A.
Tiburcio Zane: It’s the wisdom passed down from generations. I grew up in a multigenerational household with my sister, parents and maternal grandmother, and I was always in touch with my paternal grandparents. My family is from Mexico, and they spoke about their history, where they came from and how they adjusted to life here in the United States. They helped me understand what it was like for them.
Bonilla-Prado: Coming from El Salvador, the smallest country in Latin America, gives me a sense of pride. I represent my heritage and culture through my makeup, my sense of fashion, the way I speak, through my advocacy and in the traditions I cherish. My greatest pride is knowing that all Latinos stand together as one.
Bonilla-Prado: La L.U.C.H.A. wants to bring out every single culture and perspective. Latin America is full of many cultures, and we push for those perspectives and voices at every event. If you want to be someone who helps other students discover their voices while learning about different cultures, this is the place for you.
Tiburcio Zane: We will always try to empower Latiné voices, because we know without our voices, we won’t be heard. This is a proud community for sharing the Latiné identity with anybody. We’re like a family. We make sure everyone feels seen and heard, and we offer a lot of events that showcase that.
Tiburcio Zane: Through a lot of in-depth conversations with our members, who felt like older siblings I could talk with about anything. It’s been great being around students who know and understand what I’m going through.
Bonilla-Prado: La L.U.C.H.A. helped me build up and improve my Spanish-speaking skills and made me feel more connected with my culture. After a long day of classes, I would come to an event and let my true self out. Bonding over great food and discussing the issues we dealt with made me realize I could relax, breathe and be myself.
Join La L.U.C.H.A.
Tiburcio Zane and Bonilla-Prado are always looking to recruit new members. Interested students can email laluchasu@gmail.com or follow La L.U.C.H.A. on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok.
