The Student Organization of Latines (SOL) and the Caribbean Students Club (CSC) hosted their annual joint mixer Mucho Gusto on Sept. 23 in room G76 in the 140 West building. Flyers were hung in the school’s hallways days leading up to the event, advertising free food, a live DJ and other exciting activities. Mucho Gusto was everything advertised and more, but it was the community that made it a night to remember. 

As the elevator doors opened into the Argo Tea area, the thumping bass and flashing lights guided undergraduate students of all years into the spacious G76 conference room. Neon LED lights bordered the DJ’s booth and the dance floor at the center of the room. The lights illuminated a crowded line that weaved through the tables of students waiting for delicious free food. Aluminum catering pans stretched out across four folding tables with food from Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine, a local restaurant chain. 

Luisa Ferreira, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’26, gushed about the food, saying, “This was the best food I’ve had in the past month.” 

Eventgoers brought stacked plates back to their seats at tables surrounding the DJ setup, where they were greeted with balloons and centerpieces filled with flags from countries all over Latin America and the Caribbean. Students were quick to grab their flag, waving it as they finished their dinners and headed to get dessert: a creamy and spongy tres leches cake, which students raved about. 

Vicky Carmenate, FCLC ’23, SOL’s public relations officer, and former Opinions editor at The Observer, said, “The one thing that has been different for us this year is how many freshmen we have talked to who are excited and hopeful to have a community and environment they feel comfortable in.” 

The collaborative event brought over 50 students together in community and in dance. Throughout the night, students slowly trickled onto the dance floor, where club leaders, members and guests danced together to Reggaeton, Bachata, Afrobeats and Caribbean pop songs. 

They wanted to continue fostering a safe and comfortable space where all Latine and Caribbean students could get to know each other, empower and unify the diversity of all students.

At the end of the event, only a few people were still seated. The success of the event was not only indicated by the emptied catering tins but also the out-of-breath students. 

Ayanna Alexander, FCLC ’26, expressed her satisfaction with the event. 

“I came for the food and stayed for the dancing,” she said. 

Many students returned to Mucho Gusto this year after the success of this event last year, but others were first-years who came for the first time. 

Kayla Ramdass, FCLC ’23 and president of CSC, said that together with SOL, they made the event earlier so that underclassmen could get to know each other sooner in the semester. 

Annabel Filpo, FCLC ’23 and president of SOL, echoed Ramdass, saying, “There are a lot of excited freshmen and sophomores.” 

The message SOL and CSC hoped to spread is the same from years past: They wanted to continue fostering a safe and comfortable space where all Latine and Caribbean students could get to know each other, empower and unify the diversity of all students, and ultimately, as Filpo said, “Create what they want out of their club.”