At Texas Wesleyan, we take pride in our core value of “Engaging in Community,” a fact that was on full display at the annual Fiestas Patrias Parade in the Fort Worth Stockyards on September 15, where the RAMily turned out to celebrate the inauguration of Hispanic Heritage Month with energy and orgullo. This year marked Texas Wesleyan’s fourth year of participation in this beloved event, and it was truly our biggest and best showing ever.

Faculty, staff, alumni, and students from across campus—including TXWES Spanish students, the Latinx Student Association (LSA), the Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO), Men’s Soccer, the Gold Line Dance Team, TXWES Cheer, and Mariachi Oro Azul—represented Texas Wesleyan at this vibrant event that featured folkloric dancing, mariachi, equestrian teams, and other community groups and organizations. With throngs of paradegoers and with NBC5 and Telemundo 39 broadcasting the fun, our presence was witnessed by thousands both in person and on screen.

This year’s parade theme centered on soccer, and TXWES showed off its athletic spirit in a big way. The TXWES float, driven by dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez, carried the theme forward. Students decorated the float with soccer balls, goal nets, soccer balloons, and a giant soccer beach ball, along with festive papel picado, tissue paper flowers, and on the hood of the truck, a colorful piñata and a large, eye-catching banner proclaiming: “Texas Wesleyan University is proud to be a Hispanic-Serving Institution.” Men’s Soccer team members, many sporting their native countries’ flags as capes, together with their fellow students, added humor and school spirit with soccer-themed signs like “Got Goals? Go TXWES” and “Kickin’ it with the Ramily.” Along the route, our students and alumni handed out small bags containing candy, soccer stickers, and TXWES swag, much to the delight of the Future Rams in the crowd.

The Gold Line Dance Team and TXWES Cheer added flair and excitement, shaking sparkling pompoms and executing energetic dance routines, overseen by Coach Emily Snow. Faculty participants, including Associate Professor of Spanish, Dr. Amy Bell, and Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, Dr. Khalid Shaikh, joined students and alumni in waving, dancing, and engaging with the crowd, showing the cultural vibrancy and Ram pride that make Wesleyan special.

The parade kicked off a full month of events in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Be sure to check RamSpace for opportunities to join the festivities!