Amanda Crouse
News Editor
Latinas Unidas (LU), a student-run organization at the College that celebrates Latin American culture, held their annual cookout on the Armington patio on Saturday, Sept. 5. The event lasted from 3-5 p.m., and all students were welcome to attend.
“This is an event we do every year to welcome [returning members] to the school year, but also to help with retention with our new members,” said Britz Ruiz ’27, LU’s co-president. Ruiz and Andrea Peralta-Villa ’27 have served as the club’s co-presidents since spring 2026.
At 3 p.m., a small group of students had already begun approaching the check-in station and finding seats among the sea of colorful tablecloths that dotted the patio lawn. At the center of the pavilion, a handful of LU members stood at the barbeques, grilling steak, chicken and tortillas for the impending meal, while a nearby pair of speakers played Latine music.
Attendees were invited to select from a cooler of soft drinks while the food finished cooking. Some students sat alone or with friends at the folding tables, while others stood underneath some nearby trees, anticipating rain.
Jenesis Bermudez ’28 said that the cookout is one of her favorite events of the year because of the nostalgia it creates for similar communal events she experienced growing up.
“It reminds me of … when I was younger, because you know, this is something that happens a lot, I feel like, in Latin communities and families, like this big barbecue.”
At around 3:20, a moderate rain began to douse the tables, chairs and attendees. A few students stayed in their seats, unfazed by the heavy droplets, while others (present company included) ran under some nearby trees for shelter.
Ohio’s predictably unpredictable summer storms did not get the better of the cookout, though. The rain stopped within ten minutes, and attendees quickly began emerging from beneath their umbrellas to reclaim their seats.
As the masters of the grill prepared to serve the fruits of their labor, Ruiz thanked everyone for coming, and invited students to line up for food.
The food was stationed on a long line of fold-out tables, with LU members doling out portions of steak, chicken, tortillas, guacamole and even soy “meat” for vegans and vegetarians. Attendees were also encouraged to stick around for dessert: tres leches cake.
“It’s just so fun being a part of all these events,” Ruiz said as they spooned grilled chicken onto the plates of hungry students. One of their favorite parts of being a president for LU is the payoff that comes from planning each event.
“Then when you see it happen, it’s like … my vision was actually fulfilled. And it’s just so satisfying. And it’s so fun seeing people come and, like, have fun,” Ruiz said.
By 4 p.m., most of the event tables were full as students sat down to enjoy their mid-day meals. The sun, still high in the sky, shot warm rays of light through gaps in the rain clouds, and the water-flecked tablecloths began to dry, creating a movie-like ending to the annual event.
For more information on LU and to see upcoming events, visit their Instagram @woosterlatinasunidas
