THE INDEPENDENT

Fiesta en la Mesa

Steven Ben

Members of Ballet Folklorico de Durango, a cultural arts program that promotes Mexican culture, perform Sept. 19, 2025, during Fiesta en la Mesa in the Student Union Plaza at Fort Lewis College.

 

For dozens of Fort Lewis students, alumni and community members, Fiesta en la Mesa was a way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a game of Lotería, Latin food, a piñata and a live performance by Mariachi Amigos de Nuevo México. 

 

El Centro de Muchos Colores has organized the fiesta for the past 30 years, helping to raise money for clubs and organizations at the college along the way.


 

Members of Ballet Folklorico de Durango, a cultural arts program that promotes Mexican culture, perform Sept. 19, 2025, during Fiesta en la Mesa in the Student Union Plaza at Fort Lewis College. For dozens of Fort Lewis students, alumni and community members, Fiesta en la Mesa was a way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a game of Lotería, Latin food, a piñata and a live performance...

Banging Heads in Buckley Park

Mya Simon and Garrett Middleton

Locals share an inside look into Durango's metal scene. 

Logan Bates, a freshman at Fort Lewis College, performs with his band Better Off Dead during Rock Fest 2025 at Buckley Park, Sept 20 Student and local performers alike amassed a significant crowd at Rock Fest at Buckley Park on Saturday, Sept. 20. The 12th Annual Rock Fest was a benefit concert for Durango BMX according to the event flyer. The festival is a part of the resurging scene...

Safety First, Because Accidents Last

Nels Christensen

Fort Lewis police report safety statistics in recent years. 

Fort Lewis College released its Annual Security and Fire Safety Report on September 23 with an updated version distributed to students’ emails on October 2.  This 63-page report includes important information on FLC’s policies regarding safety measures and resources available to students. Crime statistics from 2022 to 2024 provided by the Fort Lewis College Police...

Hotels: the new Dorms?

Jimena Lopez

Back to school! While some Fort Lewis students were making sure they had their backpacks ready to go, others were making sure they had somewhere to sleep.

In August, some Fort Lewis students had to stay in a hotel, even though they were already registered for housing. Too many students were registered for housing, in comparison to the capacity of the buildings, according to the Fort Lewis housing department. 

“It is typical of every year for more people to request housing than is available,” Brett Polen, the associate director of residence life and residential education, said. Usually, there are enough cancellations by the time school starts, but this year's retention of students has been higher, he said. 

Back to school! While some Fort Lewis students were making sure they had their backpacks ready to go, others were making sure they had somewhere to sleep. In August, some Fort Lewis students had to stay in a hotel, even though they were already registered for housing. Too many students were registered for housing, in comparison to the capacity of the buildings, according to the Fort Lewis...

59th Annual Hozhoni Days Powwow

Written by Junior Parrish, Photographed by Donovan Riley and Junior Parrish

An event that brings joy and beauty, Hozhoni Ambassadors and First Attendant said.

Hozhoni is a Diné word from the Navajo language which directly translates to beauty, balance and harmony, Selena Gonzales, 2024-25 Hozhoni Ambassador and First Attendant, said.  Stories from dancers and drummers highlight the community at the 59th annual Hozhoni Days Powwow, held in the Whalen Gymnasium on March 28-29.  “I’ve been to a lot of good powwows...

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