Latinos Unidos Lunch Table

Every Friday at 12:15 PM, Lawrenceville’s Latinos Unidos affinity club hosts “Almuerzo en Español” in the Abbott Dining Room, where all students and faculty—regardless of their proficiency—can enjoy lunch while practicing their Spanish skills. 

Initially, Latinos Unidos hosted breakfast sessions on Friday mornings. Spanish Teacher Lizabel Mónica aimed to provide the space and resources for students to practice the language outside of class, with the meal sessions giving native and non-native speakers alike the opportunity to converse in a casual setting. “A language is something alive…you cannot constrain [it] to the walls of a classroom,” she said. In addition, Mónica believes that the meetings are “very useful” in bringing the community together and helping students become more familiar with each other. Hispanic students can “discover a sense of belonging” by meeting people from a similar background and exchanging stories. As more and more students demonstrated interest in these sessions, the club decided to switch to lunch time instead. 

According to Latinos Unidos co-President Josue Ramos, the lunch table provides a valuable opportunity for students to connect with one another and build relationships across grade levels. “In the middle of a busy Friday schedule, I get to connect and meet with new students who I otherwise wouldn't have gotten to meet,” Ramos said. He went on to say, “Being a native speaker, I also have the opportunity to help other students improve their Spanish and answer any questions, whether it pertains to the language or the Spanish culture.” However, the significance of the lunch table extends beyond just practicing the language. By creating a space for students to come together and share in Latinx culture and traditions, Latinos Unidos is able to build a “more welcoming community.” “I believe Almuerzo En Español is more than simply speaking Spanish,” Ramos said. “It sparks new relationships and creates long-lasting bonds between students.” 

Cesar Rodas-Menendez ’24, a member of Latinos Unidos and a consistent Almuerzo en Español attendee, expressed a similar sentiment on the lunch tables. “The table offers not only a culinary experience, but an opportunity to connect with the Hispanic community…and its helped me form authentic connections with other members of the community,” he said. For Rodas-Menendez, Almuerzo en Español is an opportunity to share stories, learn more about Hispanic customs, and create a sense of belonging. 

In the future, Latinos Unidos plans to organize more events that can help students  improve their Spanish skills, interact with other members of the Latinx community, and learn more about Spanish culture.