Most Outstanding Student of the Month

Brittany D. Icaza

By Kiara Biroo, ’20

Brittany D. Icaza, ’18, a student of

Hartwick College, has quite the

reputation on this campus for her achievements. Ms. Icaza was born in The

Bronx, New York. However, she proudly represents her mother’s Puerto Rican

and Italian culture, and Ecuadorian culture on her father’s side. Ms. Icaza

stands out not only as a student of this institution but a leader. She is not afraid

of stepping up and challenging diversity on this campus. She positively

represents African Americans, Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans. The

students of Hartwick College, including myself, speak very highly of Ms. Icaza

because she is our voice on this campus.

Ms. Icaza is a very humble young lady. She certainly gives tribute to the people

who helped her, such as Ms. Kim in the cafe who adopts everyone as her niece

and nephew. Joe Ficano has witnessed Ms. Icaza’s struggle and has helped her

to this very day in making sure she stays on the path t0 achieving her goals. But

mostly, Mr. Harry Bradshaw Matthews greatly influenced Ms. Icaza’s agenda

for Hartwick College. When she first took a class with him she truly saw a

better future for this school. It is unfortunate that we have to say farewell to

Ms. Icaza; her shoes will be difficult to fill at Hartwick.

Kiara Biroo (KB): How do you go about being an outstanding

student at Hartwick College?

Brittany Icaza (BI): I can proudly say I am president of the SOSU/BU club.

Student Editor: Kiara Biroo, ’20 Office of Intercultural Affairs Winter Issue 2018

This Issue

Page 1-2 : Most Outstanding Student of the Month

Page 3: People Of Importance

Page 5-6 : Cultural Page

Page 7- Upcoming Birthdays

Page 8– Food for Thought

Voices Magazine

together. Brittany D. Icaza is a most outstanding

student.

Award Winning Students

Kiara Biroo asked two Hartwick students this

question, “How do you define yourself and how do

you celebrate your traditions?”

Valerie J. Diaz, ’18

Together it is our mission to educate the campus in

A.L.A.N.A. diversity. For those who do not know

what that means, ALANA stands for African, Latin,

Asian, & Native American alliance which does not

stop there. It is because of these people, that I am

able to be the significant outstanding student with

the mindset to strive and graduate as someone on

this campus who has a made somewhat of a

difference. I am so appreciative to every one who

has helped me become this person today.

KB: How do you balance your personal life

and school life?

BI: I will say it has become more difficult this

senior year. I am a president to two clubs, a team

manager, a senator, a cafe barista, and a student

most importantly at the end of the day. My other

activities have helped me to create the friendships I

have today. The people I consider my family on this

campus I met because of my school life and being so

a part of the Hartwick experience. When I go home

to my room or have a free moment for “my personal

life” I reflect upon my day’s experiences.

KB: What advice would you give to Hartwick

students?

BI: I would say do not be afraid to be who you are. As

cliché as it sounds, it is the one thing a lot of us forget

when we first come to this school. Not being yourself here

on this campus makes it so much harder when trying to

find the place you fit in best. As long as you stay true to

what decisions you make and follow through with it, you

will make it through the difficult periods in your

academic and personal life. Being myself at Hartwick,

helped me become who I am today and that means saying

goodbye to a lot of unhealthy connections, and hello to

supportive people who genuinely want what is best for

me.

Overall, Ms. Icaza influences many students on

campus to think of a better future for Hartwick

College. She challenges many of us to think out of

our comfort zone and to speak up respectfully to

ensure that we as scholars moving forward

an education where he

became active in republican

politics. prabook.com/web/

eugenio.de_hostos/1345957

According to the above

website, “ Hostos played a

major role in reorganizing

the educational system of the

Dominican Republic. He wrote many essays and

treatises on social science topics and was one of the

first systematic sociologists in Latin America .” In

the honor of Hostos the people paid their respect by

putting him on a coin. In addition, Hostos will

always be remembered as an important figure to the

public.

Juan Pablo Duarte

Day, was named after

the hero of Dominican

independence from Haiti,

Juan Pablo Duarte. “He

was born 1813 and died

1876. He was sent to

Europe for his education

(1828–33). He and

several other patriots

organized a secret society, La Trinitaria, to work

toward independence and to stimulate liberalism .”

I was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. My

parents migrated here from the Dominican

Republic. I define

myself as an Afro-

Latina. My bloodline

consist of many

beautiful shades of skin,

so by identifying myself

as an Afro-Latina I am

including them all.

Music is very crucial

when it comes to

celebration in the

Dominican Republic.

It is nearly required to know how to dance bachata,

merengue, and salsa or else you will feel left out

when it comes to celebrating! These genres have

songs that are ageless and danced throughout

different generations. They

carry lyrics and rhythms

that reflects how patriotic

and beautiful the island is.

Traditional Dominican

paintings are known to be

very vibrant and depicting

the gorgeous landscapes of

the Dominican Republic. My

grandfather was a painter

himself and this is a painting he did while on this

deathbed.

People Of Importance

January 11th is one of the most important days of

the year in Puerto Rico

because it is the birthday of

the well accomplished

educator and writer,

Eugenio Maria de

Hostos. He was born in

1839. Later on in his

teenage life he went to a

university in Spain to get

Ask Fefin

Question: Is J– Term fun?

Answer: Wi. Hartwick ni uh shy bagay!

(St. Lucian Kweyol).

Question: What is the most important day in

January to African Americans?

Answer: Martin Luther King Jou

Question: Should Hartwick have school on

Martin King Day?

Answer: No, paske Afriken Ameriken yo

se yon pati nan lekòl sa a.

(Haitian Creole)

www.hikenow.net/

Dominican/capital-

The Cultural Page

Drawing by Loverte Larkai, ’18

The Day of The Dead is celebrated in

Central and Southern Mexico during

November 1st and 2nd. The people

believe “that the gates of heaven are

opened at midnight on October 31, and

the spirits of all deceased children

(angelitos) are allowed to reunite with

their families for 24 hours. On

November 2, the spirits of the adults

come down to enjoy the festivities that

are prepared for them.”

www.mexicansugarskull.com/support/

dodhistory.html

“"Hispanic" and "Latino" are often used

interchangeably, but they don't mean the same

thing. Understanding the difference between the

two can help you better relate to the many

cultures that fall under their umbrellas. From the

language and the geography they share some

commonalities that connect through culture.

However, different branches evolve into

different ethnic groups that share unique local

heritage and traditions. For example, Mexicans,

Cubans, and Spaniards are Hispanics. Puerto Rico

Johnnyjet.wpengine.netdna.cdn.com

Cuba

www.talkcinema.com

Battle of Rivas

www.tnhistoryforkids.org/BattleOfRivas

The Dominican Republic

bbqbay.net/category/Dominican-republic

Mexico

www.istockphoto.com

Celebration of The Battle of Rivas-

www.liveincostarica.com

Ask Fefin

Question: How many Spanish speaking

countries are there in the world?

Answer: vennde

Question: What is the most populated

Spanish speaking country?

Answer: Meksik

The celebration of the battle of Rivas

has taken place in Costa Rica for

many years, since 1856. The men in

the army were mostly farmers who

came together to defend their home

from “Confederate invaders.”

William Walker, an American who

planned to enslave Central Americans

was forced back into Nicaragua.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1848

Baron Bliss Memorial

www.lighthousekeepers.com

The Treaty of Mexico - www.history.com

Upcoming Birthdays in January and February

Amber T. Lawson, ’19

Born in America

Brionie Nelson, ’21

Born in America

Loverte Larkai, ’18

Born in America

Elektra Hoyoun, ’18

Born in America

The Ponce Carnival: Food for Thought

The annual week-long celebration in Puerto Rico is decorated with creative floats, amazing

music, colorful costumes, and traditional food. This carnival is an old world tradition and it is

usually celebrated before the beginning of Lent. Ponce begins on the 9th of February to the

13th. The most exciting part of the carnival is seeing the dancers perform with the marching

bands and floats. This year will the 16oth year of Ponce Carnival in Puerto Rico and it is also

one of the most popular festivals in the Caribbean. Pictures of Ponce Carnival found on

doradobeaches.com/ponce-carnival-february-events/

Voices Magazine

Office of Intercultural Affairs

Hartwick College

Oneonta, New York 13820

www.hartwick.edu