Students learned about the history and process of making a pinata on Wednesday as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. 

English language learning technician Ana Derr, who oganized the event, said she designed it to  teach students about Hispanic culture.

“It’s a great opportunity [to] show our culture and share more information with other members of other communities that are not Hispanic,” Derr said. 

At the workshop, each student made a pinata by molding paper-mache around a balloon and popping it to create a space to put candy inside.

Pinatas originated as breakable party favors brought to Mexico from China in the 16th century by Spanish explorers. A pinata hangs by a string and blindfolded partygoers hit it with a stick until it breaks open and the candy spills out. 

Students who created their own pinatas at the campus event said the activity taught them something about Hispanic culture.

“I learned that I can be connected with my culture in multiple different ways,” first-year elementary education student Isabella Stocker said,

First-year transfer studies student Leyton Calzado agreed. 

“I learned how to make a pinata, which is pretty cool,” Calzado said. “And maybe learned a few Spanish words, too, from the instructor.”