THE 2025-2026 BOARD: 

Ayary Abreu: Junior, International Business concentrating in marketing and IT, President, 

Ashley Fabian: Junior, Business management, Vice President

Melianne Castillo: Junior, Professional Buisness in Marketing, Spanish minor, Secretary 

Kevin Gonzales: Sophmore, Digital forensics, Treasurer

Randy Zea: Medical imaging into radiation therapy, Public Relations Chair

At Bloomsburg University, the student organization of Latinos (SOL) has become more than just a club. It’s a space where heritage, culture and community converge. For the board members of SOL, Hispanic Heritage Month is not only a celebration but also a chance to reclaim representation that has often been overlooked.

“Representation matters the most,” says Melianne Castillo, secretary and a junior studying Professional Business with a Spanish minor. “You can never see that much pride for Latinos in this country despite there being a lot of us.”

SOL’s leadership reflects the diversity and dedication of its members: Ayary Abreu, president and International Business junior, Ashley Fabian, vice president and Business Management junior, Randy Zea, public relations chair and Medical Imaging student and Kevin Gonzales, treasurer and Digital Forensics sophomore. Most hail from Dominican and Guatemalan backgrounds, and their experiences highlight both the richness of Latino culture and the challenges Latino students face on campus.

The group’s mission extends beyond social gatherings. They host cultural events, like a bachata dance workshop and their annual Fiesta, which bring the campus community together. Abreu recalls, “We went downtown, brought a bunch of people together, I did face painting, and Randy danced with an older woman who had not danced like that for a long time.”

Their events are about more than fun—they create spaces for comfort and connection. Fabian says, “Our group is open for anyone who wants to join…we are a safe space, and we just have fun and talk about Hispanic history.” Zea adds, “It’s extremely important to have a place to speak Spanish comfortably; we provide that outlet for people.”