On March 18, 2025, Moorpark College held its third annual MC Fiesta to celebrate Latinx heritage with students, faculty and staff. The event began at 11 a.m., with a table situated to offer guests a chance to get free tamales and aguas frescas, as well as a variety of paletas.
MC Fiesta featured a band made up of three gentlemen who took to the stage and filled the air with songs like “Hermoso Cariño” by Vicente Fernández, “Juana La Cubana” by Fito Olivares Y Su Grupo and many more recognizable tunes.
The lively musicians had surprise guest Katherine Vilchis, a Raider Central staff member who joined in and sang Rocío Dúrcal’s “Amor Eterno” with them.
Multiple tables were set up for clubs and Moorpark College student services including Raider Central, the Student Success Center and Latinx Club.
One table, covered in an orange and bright pink table cover with papel picado—traditional Mexican decorations—lining the edges, was used to spotlight a prominent labor activist, Dolores Huerta.
The table included pictures of Huerta, coupled with a few quotes and a short autobiography outlining her life and work as an influential figure in the steadfast fight for Chicano civil rights.
Not only did the table give information on Huerta, but it had multiple red cards available to attendees. The red cards for immigration, created for undocumented immigrants stopped by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), detailed the constitutional rights that they, and everyone in the United States, are entitled to.
The details included on the card outlined steps to take in case an ICE agent is at their door or if they are stopped for questioning.
Cynthia Osuna, the advisor for the Latinx Club and coordinator for the event, discussed the evolution of MC Fiesta throughout the years, mentioning that in the first year, they started with five tables and are now over 12.
“Every year it gets bigger and we have more people involved throughout the campus. We have more catering, we’re giving out more food, we have the jumpers, the musicians out,” Osuna explained. “We want people to feel like they belong here on our campus, and feel welcomed and we also want to share our culture with them.”
Osuna talked about being a first-generation Mexican American and how that played a part in her involvement with MC Fiesta, as well as the importance of community in uncertain times.
“I am proud of my culture…I don’t want to shy away from who we are. Take pride in who we are no matter what society says, no matter what the current climate is,” Osuna said. “We need to be proud, and we need to support each other and we need to create that safe space.”
Kely Reyes, the Latinx Club social media manager, explained the event’s significance to the club, herself and the community of Latinx students at Moorpark College.
“It’s a way to spread our culture to those who are not of Hispanic origin, and we do this by sharing Hispanic food, music and some traditions, like breaking the piñata,” Reyes noted. “It is nice to have multiple student services that support our students and the Latinx community at this event as well.”
Students attending the event had the opportunity to connect and learn about the Latinx community. Maria Zaragoza, a second-year student majoring in political science spoke about her favorite parts of this event and what it stands for.
“My favorite was the traditional agua frescas and tamales which reminded me of what it means to be part of the Latinx community,” Zaragoza said. “This event stands as a representation of our community and how welcoming it is towards Latinx students and all different students.”
The success of the third annual MC Fiesta has brought together organizers and attendees alike to celebrate and look forward to the continuing tradition. A large outcome from the community at Moorpark College and the event’s expanding reach is something to expect for the years to come.
Information to stay current on Moorpark College’s future events is available on the VCCCD’s website, and more information about the Latinx Club or other Moorpark College clubs is available on Moorpark College’s website.
