The Heritage campus came alive with color, music and tradition in September as the community gathered for the university’s El Grito celebration.

El Grito is one of Mexico’s most cherished traditions, commemorating the start of the nation’s war for independence. Each year on September 15, the president of Mexico rings a bell at the National Palace in Mexico City and delivers the Cry of Dolores, echoing the historic call made by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla more than two centuries ago. The ritual is repeated across Mexico and beyond, carrying the same patriotic significance that the Fourth of July holds in the United States.

Heritage has hosted its own El Grito celebration since 2018, honoring the heritage shared by many of its students and creating a bridge between the university and the broader community. This year, with the holiday falling on a Sunday, the celebration was held the Friday before, with the reenactment of the Cry of Dolores moved to 7:00 p.m. instead of the traditional 11:00 p.m.

The festivities featured vibrant performances of Aztec dances, folkloric traditional dancing by Grupo La Esperanza, and lively music, which kept the crowd on its feet. Families enjoyed traditional crafts, games and activities, while community organizations hosted a resource fair. A highlight of the evening came when Mexican Consul Representative Oscarlin Figueroa Garcia led the crowd in the powerful Cry of Dolores, uniting all in a moving moment of history and pride.