Emporia Spanish Speakers gathered at Tamales Monarca on Nov. 16 to sharpen their Spanish-speaking skills and play Loteria, or “Spanish Bingo.” In the classic game of chance, Loteriauses a deck of cards rather than numbered ping pong balls.

Upon entering, participants were offered champurrado, a combination of hot milk, piloncillo, Mexican cinnamon, and chocolate from Mexico. Members of the club also had the opportunity to taste tamaleswith the choice of those filled with cheese and chicken or sweet ones filled with strawberries. 

Emporia Spanish Speakers was founded five years ago on the principles of  “growing within Emporia with the Spanish-speaking community…to immerse in the culture, and to put your Spanish speaking skills to the test”

Hunter Houck, a member of the “Emporia Spanish Speakers” describes the organization’s primary focus as “building bridges between people who speak English and people who speak Spanish in the Emporia community.” 

“Anybody of all levels of Spanish speakers can join,” Houck said.