Celebrating Cinco de Mayo is a long-held tradition at San Jacinto College, and each year the offices of Student Engagement and Activities (SEA) on the three academic campuses organize festivities to commemorate the widely popular holiday while providing an opportunity for students to de-stress from the pressure of final exams.

On the North Campus, attendees have the chance to win prizes while enjoying activities like coloring luchador masks and eating Pan Dulce.

Brian Bui, the North Campus Coordinator for SEA, said the activities are a means to connect students with one and other.

“We encourage the students to stick around the campus,” she said. “Like ‘Hey, you’re coloring a luchador mask, and I’m coloring a luchador mask. Let’s talk and be friends.’”

In addition to offering amusement, Bui said the SEA team makes sure to highlight the historical significance of Cinco de Mayo. Moreover, other campus organizations participate in the celebration, like the Culinary Arts students who prepared the Pan Dulce for past events. She said participation is another avenue that helps bring the campus community together.

“It is a great way for students to see what their fellow peers work on,” Bui said, “and get a taste of good food their fellow students made.”

The Cinco de Mayo celebrations take place from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on May 2 (South and Central Campuses) and May 6 (North Campus) in the lobby of the Student Center buildings (S11, C14, N12).

Dulce Aguilar contributed to this report.