A unique collection of awards, outfits and past images gives visitors the ability to walk through St. Edward’s Ballet Folklorico’s history. The exhibit is currently on display in Munday Library on the second floor.
An idea emerged from Rosalinda Vasquez, staff advisor for St. Edward’s Ballet Folklorico group, as her eyes rediscovered artifacts from stories frozen in time. She knew that the dance group has been somewhat hidden from the public eye the past couple years and thought it was time to shine a light back on them.
What better space to showcase these rich historical artifacts than in Munday Library exhibition space located on the second floor where many students can be found? After asking for help from Hollis Hammonds and Alexander Robinson, professors in the fine arts and visual studies department, the three of them would spend a week putting together an exuberant exhibit highlighting Ballet Folklorico’s history.
From its origin in 2002, where two students turned their idea into a reality, this showcase proves that any student can create their community. All it takes is ganas. An upbeat celebration of colorful artifacts will greet you as you’re immersed into the historyーand still ongoingーof the 20th year anniversary of Ballet Folklórico at St. Edward’s University.
With the St. Edward’s University acronym being proudly displayed on the collar, the first costume ever bought for Ballet Folklórico can be seen at the exhibition. When they first competed with these costumes, they received points off due to the non-traditional colors. To avoid this, they ordered new costumes that have the traditional honey-yellow color. (Natalia Zavaleta / Hilltop Views)Dances would be performed in elementary schools, colleges and in the plazas. St. Edward’s Ballet Folklorico touched various towns of Mexico, including Nayarit, Tepic, and Colima. This photo captures the 2005 SEU Ballet Folklorico team in Veracruz. The current team has not traveled due to restrictions (Natalia Zavaleta / Hilltop Views)Embedded into Ballet Folklorico is the influence of various nations poured into one and is reflected in the clothing, dance, music and footwork. When the team would finish their dances abroad, recuerdos were gifted, such as these dolls in which a little girl from each grade in school would hand it to them while saying, “Les presento la muñeca del primer grado (I present to you the doll representing first grade)” and so forth. (Natalia Zavaleta / Hilltop Views)“You can learn the dances, but I still feel there needs to be another goal to make yourself take pride in what you’re doing and what you’re learning,” Ballet Folklorico’s staff advisor Rosalinda Valdez said. While traveling abroad is not permitted anymore, the team used to take on competitions in the state of Texas and even traveled to the northern United States, such as King’s College in Pennsylvania. (Natalia Zavaleta / Hilltop Views)A flashy, yet elegant representation of Jalisco, this costume is known as a charro outfit, which derives from the “charreria”, or rodeo events. Decorative galas line the side of the pants along with a huge sombrero. It’s in blue to represent school colors. (Natalia Zavaleta / Hilltop Views)This dress was the second official costume ordered for the club. The colorful nature of the dress represents Jalisco, Mexico. “The women of Jalisco would wear something similar to this in their day-to-day lives,” Vasquez said. “It is custom-made to represent St. Edward’s with the SEU on the sleeve.” (Natalia Zavaleta / Hilltop Views)
This costume represents the state of Nuevo Leon. With its puffy sleeves, European-style fan and brooch at the neck, skirt and boots, this costume also depicts the agricultural culture of Nuevo Leon. It also incorporates school colors of blue and gold, with “SEU” on the cuff and while on the skirt it would usually have a button or circle, they made sure to put a cross that represents Main Building. The adelita boots that compliment the dress are also unique to the school. (Natalia Zavaleta / Hilltop Views)Reginna Escobar, student and onlooker of the exhibit said the showcase brings back good memories from when she was little and used to dance Folklorico. Valdez has mentioned that this club has been “an opportunity to team build, get to know each other, represent St. Edward’s University, and Folklorico.” They want students to know that if you want to start your own group, it’s possible. (Natalia Zavaleta / Hilltop Views)
Emily Sophia Pesina is a transfer junior majoring in communication. This is her first semester working with Hilltop Views. She is also employed as a tour guide for St. Edward's. Emily is excited to practice her skills within her position and is happy to connect with interested students!
Comments (0)
Hilltop Views has a zero tolerance policy for hate speech of any kind. Comments that express prejudice against a particular group — especially on the basis of race, religion or sexual orientation — will not be tolerated.
Do not resort to violent or personal attacks, especially those that include foul language. You can disagree with a story, but libel and defamation will not be tolerated.
Spam comments will not be published and may result in an immediate ban from making future comments on our site.
Maintain privacy. Do not comment yours or anyone’s personal information.
If a comment is determined to have violated the guidelines listed above, it will not be published.
We encourage you to follow our guidelines and engage in productive conversations revolving around our stories. Please refer to our Media & Ethics Policy on our website for more information.
