Folklorico dancers shine bright
Taking the floor with a flowing dance routine filled with passion and vibrant colors of the Mexican culture that caught the eyes of many, Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s newest dance group, Grupo Herencia Javelina, made its debut during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Grupo Herencia Javelina Folklorico group is new to campus and is quickly growing, but a group such as the folklorico group doesn’t come together on its own; it takes planning and effort from passionate individuals.
“It did take a lot, it was a lot of planning and trying to figure out where we were going to get costumes, how are we going to advertise the group, and where we are going to get the funding. It was a lot to put it together. I transferred here in January last semester and it was kind of already an idea to start this up. I dance outside of the university with another folklorico group, and we actually got invited to perform at the Somos TAMUK Festival last spring, so I had met Dr. [Alberto] Rodriguez and had this idea of trying to start a group here at the university,” President and Founder of Grupo Herencia Javelina Isabel Vera said. Grupo Herencia Javelina represents the rich culture that flows through TAMUK, a Hispanic dominant campus.
“It provides everybody here a sense of belonging, a sense of ‘wow that is my culture,’ and I had never seen it as long as I had come to A&M Kingsville. Now it’s ‘wow I remember this song; I remember my grandma playing it and now I see a dance to it.’ So, it brings this culture that even though some of the dancers don’t speak Spanish they have been involved in Mexican American culture all their lives, and as you saw there is this energy that whether you’re a dancer or not it just brings us together,” Associate Professor of History and Director of the Mexican American Studies Institute Dr. Alberto Rodriguez said.
Grupo Herencia Javelina is more than a dance group, it is something personal and meaningful to the dancers.
“My favorite part of being a part of this group is that I am able to dance and express my rich culture and heritage through Folklorico, as well as being able to dance different regions and wear different vestuarios that are so beautiful with their vibrant colors and styles, and most importantly creating new friendships and a new group where everyone is welcomed to be themselves, engage in representing their school and heritage, as well as learning more and more about Folklorico and the team itself,” Vice President of Grupo Herencia Javelina Samantha Salinas said.
