News from

Michael D. Chason Director of Public Relations ABAC 30, 2802 Moore Hwy Tifton, GA 31793-2601 Phone 229-391-5055 Fax 229-391-5051 mchason@abac.edu

For IMMEDIATE Release September 24, 2009

Hispanic Heritage Celebration September 25 at ABAC

TIFTON - The annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration will take place at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on Sept. 25 from 12-2:30 p.m. at Howard Auditorium.

The keynote speaker will be Simon Silva--an artist, author, and progressive thinker from California who spends his time traveling around the country speaking about his experiences and the importance of art, literature, and education.

Tifton Mayor Jamie Cater will present the proclamation, and Javier Gonzalez, Director of the HEP and CAMP programs, will give the historical perspective of the event.

Performers include Energia Latina and the Cultura Latina Dance Crew. This year a Flag Cultural Fashion Show will be added to the program. The presentation of the flags will include students dressed in that countries' cultural attire.

Traditional Hispanic dishes will be available for your tasting pleasure. The entire campus community is invited to attend the celebration.

Hispanic Heritage Month begins on Sept. 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on September 16 and Chile on September 18. The national celebration ends on Oct. 12 with the observation of the date that Christopher Columbus discovered America.

Silva's books will be available for purchase at Howard Auditorium, and he will be available to sign books.

The event is sponsored by ABAC Center for Multi-Cultural Awareness, Academic Affairs, CAMP, Cultura Latina Club, HEP, Hispanic/Latino Retention Program, and the Rural Studies Program.

While here, Silva will be speaking to Rural Studies students, will conduct a motivational workshop for HEP and CAMP students, will speak to parents and the migrant population at Tift County High School, and work with students in the Art Club at the high school.

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