Name: Omaniel Ortiz
Year: Sophomore, Class of 2020
Major: Pre-Kinesiology: Exercise Science
Ethnicity: Puerto Rican
Tell me about yourself: I am from Hartford, Connecticut but was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. I come from a very low income family. On campus I am very involved at PR/LACC, which stands for Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center. I am also a Resident Assistant (RA) at UConn. I am proud to have graduated Salutatorian at my high school. I consider myself to be very outgoing and I enjoy fitness.Â
The Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center‘s mission is to improve the status of Latinos and to promote awareness, understanding and appreciation of the richness and diversity of Latinos and Latin American cultures. PR/LACC is located on the 4th floor of the Student Union where students can enjoy a beautiful facility with outstanding services and programs, which include a computer lab, film and book collections, conference and programs rooms for meetings, seminars, events and much more.
What does your culture mean to you?Â
My culture means a lot to me considering that it’s been a part of me my whole life. It’s influenced the friends I’ve made and has definitely influenced the opportunities I’ve received in life. My culture is important to me because there are a lot of traditions and customs that bring people from my culture together to relate and have fun.Â
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What is your favorite part of your culture?Â
My favorite part would have to be the sense of family that exists in the culture which brings people together. Whether it’s dancing, or just cooking great dishes, there’s always that great sense of family within the culture and I certainly appreciate that aspect.
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How do you celebrate your culture?Â
My culture is celebrated in a lot of different ways. The best way to celebrate my culture is by getting together as a family and just eating Puerto Rican dishes together. After a great meal with family and friends, dancing the night away with bachata is always a phenomenal way to celebrate the culture.
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Do you think living in the U.S. has made a difference in how you celebrate and live your culture? If so, how?Â
I don’t think living in the U.S. has made a difference in how I celebrate and live my culture. Personally speaking, I will celebrate my culture in whatever way I want no matter where I am. Of course there will be people who may not approve of your culture or the way you behave, but there are also people who just want to experience the culture, as well, and join in. So whether you join in or just talk negatively about my culture, I will still celebrate it the same way no matter where I am.
How are you involved with the Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center?
- Third semester as a student administrative assistant. (Work at front office)
- Participated in Homecoming 2016 under PR/LACC
- Participated in Huskython 2017 under PR/LACC
- Member of B.A.I.L.E
- Member of the Puerto Rican Student Association (PurSA)
- Representative for the Peruvian Student Association (PerSA)
How would you say the center has impacted your experience at the University of Connecticut?
 The center has definitely impacted me in an extremely positive manner. Coming into UConn as a freshman, I was very worried about how I would make friends and how I would get involved. Once I started working at the center, I found my home away from home. The atmosphere at the center is amazing. I can spend time with people who look like me and have had the same experiences as me, as well. Every day, I feel like I’m learning something new about someone else’s culture. Getting involved at PR/LACC has also led me to get to know and get involved in other cultural centers, as well. Without PR/LACC I would not have had half the experiences or friends I have today. I am forever grateful for getting the job at PR/LACC which led me to so many wonderful opportunities and networks.
Images courtesy of Omaniel Ortiz.Â