The intricacies of Hispanic heritage are comparable to the glass pieces in a kaleidoscope; each individual piece is unique as it coalesces into a cosmic reflection. Each sector of Hispanic heritage varies across the board, as St. Edward’s sophomore Angelica Carrete can attest to.

The Business Administration major with Mexican origin proudly wears her Hispanic pride on her sleeve at St. Edward’s. However, this awareness was not as salient back in her hometown in El Paso, Texas.

“I’ve always been proud of my past, but I guess I never noticed it,” Carrete said.

Carrete explained that living a predominantly Hispanic community never prompted her to consciously display her roots. She admits that coming to Austin last year helped her conceive her Mexican culture in a new, yet refreshing way.

“I love the diversity,” Carrete boasted when describing Austin’s melting pot of a city. “It gives me a chance to show who I am and where I’m from.”

Ballet folklorico serves as a major piece in Carrete’s cultural kaleidoscope. With 16 years of dance under her belt, Carrete attributes her passion as a staple in declaring of who she is and who came before her. “The way I see it, I’m telling a story about where I’m from through my dance,” Carrete said.

Carrete went on to credit ballet folklorico’s costumage as an indispensable part in telling a variety of stories. She elaborated using Mexican city, Veracruz, as an example– where costumes are thin and white as a reflection of the city’s hot temperatures.

While Carrete’s loyalties remain with ballet folklorico, she admits a love for bachata and participating in Latin nights at dance clubs. Dancing and expressing this part of Carrete’s heritage with friends and family is invaluable to her, because “It makes me feel close to home,” according to Carrete.

While coming to St. Edward’s proved beneficial to Carrete’s growing Mexican pride, she admits that freshman year hindered how much she spoke the language.

Coming into her second year of college, Carrete has made efforts to upkeep the language that’s so dear to her– as it vanguards a rich and abundant culture. “It’s such an important part of me,” Carrete said.

Carrete recognizes the impact of speaking Spanish in bridging connections to her Mexican roots; however, she also recognizes language’s advantageous benefits in connecting to others beyond St. Edward’s.