By Ella Prieto, Editor-in-Chief
On Sunday, Burgburst took place in the newly renovated CUB Ballroom from 4 – 7 p.m. with a masquerade theme. The event is one of Gettysburg College’s signature events, and draws hundreds of students to celebrate culture along with food, music and dance.
Attendees enjoyed a variety of food from campus clubs, including the Latin American Students Association (LASA), Hillel, The Butterfly Coalition, German Club, and more. The variety spanned plantains, latkes and sushi, with most attendees enjoying multiple plates to try a little bit of everything.
Some of the food offered at Burgburst. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Burgburst’s formal programming began about an hour into the event, with Burgburst President Manuela Aguirre Erazo ’28 providing opening remarks.
“Thank you all for joining me at my favorite event of the year,” she remarked. “We are so excited to be one of the first events in the brand new College Ballroom, and I would like to offer a sincere thank you to John Rudy, Ethan, Raj, Jenna, and the entire [Office of Student Activities and Greek Life] tech team, along with Facilities Services, for all their behind the scenes work in making this event possible.”
Erazo thanked Director of International Student Services Brad Lancaster, Assistant Director of International Student Services Rebekah Hurwitz ’19 and Program Coordinator Carla Pavlick for “working tirelessly every single day to make Gettysburg College a home for those of us who need a visa to be here. Thank you for being a second family to all of us here.”
She transitioned into what this year’s Burgburst is about, calling it a “demonstration that can only rise from diversity, openness, inclusion and the curiosity to learn about each other.” Erazo added that this would not be possible without the hard work of immigrants in the United States.
She then recognized her Burgburst Chairs that helped make the event possible: Decor Chair Sofia Leyba ’26, Advertising Chair Bealu Kebede ’27, Budget Chair Sabrina Huynh ’28, Food Chair Andrea Bacon M. ’28 and Performance Chair Zayan Usman ’28.
Burgburst President Manuela Aguirre Erazo and her chairs. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Next, the audience were treated to a performance of Mario Bauzá’s Cubanola by the Latin Jazz Band, consisting of students Tam Rezaei Tari ’28, Nick Alimo ’29, Rebecca Romussi ’29, Luke Riley ’28, Julia Pekala ’28 and Makenzie Barger ’28.
Latin Jazz Band performing. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
After that performance, Decor Chair Sofia Leyba ’26 returned to the stage to discuss Burgburst’s sponsored charity, Project Libertad, which was founded by Gettysburg College graduate Rachel Rutter ’11. Project Libertad is a “nonprofit organization that empowers newcomer immigrant youth and their families in the Greater Philadelphia Area by providing essential, youth-led, and youth-centered legal and social services.”
“Young people deserve to feel safe, supported and empowered no matter where they come from….Conversation about immigration can often feel distant or far off, but at the heart of it, it’s about children and young people trying to be the future, just like all of us here,” explained Leyba. “By being here you are not just attending an event. You’re contributing to something bigger, helping create access to legal support, education, mental health resources and leadership opportunities for young people who need it.”
Burgburst emcees Sambridi Guragai ’28 and Taimoor Rizwan ’28 then took over, kicking off the Flag Walk, which represented students from Brazil, Argentina, Nepal, Vietnam, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Morocco, Ghana, Hungary, Ecuador, Mexico, Japan and more.
The iconic Flag Walk. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Next, the audience enjoyed several performances, including dance, singing and poetry, by students representing their culture, highlighting their dedication, passion and talent.
Ahmad Waqar performing. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Anh Tran, Phuong Doan and Sabrina Huynh performing. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Md Rubaitul Ahsan Rhythm performing. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Performers getting ready backstage in the Ballroom’s new green room. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
