The Power of Community: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Central Oregon

November 24, 2025/Mary Pantenburg/Comments Off

From September 15 to October 15, 2025, we observed Hispanic Heritage Month—a time to honor the culture, contributions, and resilience of the Latino, Latina, and Latine communities across the nation. In Central Oregon, this month took on a vibrant and deeply meaningful tone as TEC joined forces with community partners to host a celebration centered around art, food, music, and shared stories.

More than just a cultural gathering, this event was a fundraiser for the Latino Community Association (LCA), with 100% of proceeds going directly to support migrant and immigrant families in our region. What began as a simple idea to bring people together in a time when many community events have been cancelled, turned into something much more powerful—a visible, joyful, and affirming act of solidarity.

As the daughter of immigrant parents, organizing this event was deeply personal. I’ve been given certain privileges, and I believe it’s my responsibility to use them to uplift and advocate for my community. Silence is not an option, and this event was my way of showing up—not just in words, but in action.

Thanks to generous sponsorship from the Oregon Community Foundation, the Latino Partnership Program, and the Energy Trust of Oregon, we were able to bring this vision to life. Alongside my amazing team members, Jessica and Mary, we transformed the event space into a colorful, welcoming celebration. Traditional decorations, a community altar, vibrant music, and a sense of unity filled the air—it truly felt magical.

Highlights from the Day:

A lively set of Latin beats provided by our DJ
Folklorico dancers showcasing traditional performances
Food vendors serving up delicious Latin flavors
A wide range of local artisans and small businesses, offering jewelry, art, clothing, and more
A Lotería corner that brought smiles across generations
Community resource tables connecting families with vital services
An atmosphere that felt both festive and deeply rooted in cultural pride

The turnout exceeded all our expectations. We were humbled and overjoyed to see so many people come together to honor and celebrate the Latino and immigrant communities of Central Oregon.

We’ve received heartfelt messages from vendors, community leaders, and attendees who shared how meaningful the event was. One vendor wrote:

“Priscilla, muchas gracias por este evento tan lindo y necesario para seguir fortaleciendo un entorno donde las personas hispanas seamos visibles y se celebre quiénes somos!”

Another shared:

“We were happy to participate as Almadorada and thrilled by how many attended the event to support the greater community. Thanks for putting this together.”

These words mean the world. They are a reminder that even in challenging times—when the news is heavy and the future uncertain—there is strength and healing in coming together.

As co-chair of our DEI committee, this is one of the ways we live our Commitment to Equity. But equity isn’t a one-time event. It’s an ongoing effort that asks each of us to reflect on our own privilege and consider how we can use it to support those whose voices often go unheard.

To everyone who showed up, participated, donated, danced, ate, laughed, and celebrated—thank you. You made this event what it was: a beautiful testament to the power of community, culture, and care.