University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI
Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Spotlight: Gui Vivaldini
October 13, 2022 | Men's Soccer
Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month is an annual celebration of citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The event commemorates the history, culture and contributions of the Latinx and Hispanic communities.
During the final week of the month-long celebration, University of North Carolina men's soccer will be spotlighting its players who are part of the Latinx and Hispanic communities while honoring how our diversity makes us stronger – on and off the pitch.
Meet Gui Vivaldini
Gui Vivaldini is a sophomore midfielder/forward from Itupeva, Brazil. Both of his parents also hail from Brazil: His mother, Catia, is from Salvador and his father, Mauro, is from São Paulo. Vivaldini moved from Brazil to Tennessee to attend high school before arriving in Chapel Hill.
What does Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month mean to you?
This month means celebrating different cultures and the diversity that's in our community. It allows us to highlight our culture and traditions and contributions. It also allows me to reflect on my family and where I grew up and how it shaped me.
Why is it important to celebrate Hispanic/Latinx Heritage month?
Celebrating this month gives us the chance to share our stories, because those stories make us who we are. For me, I'm proud of my roots, and this month gets to spotlight that.
In what ways do you celebrate your culture year-round?
Food is the biggest way I celebrate my culture, and I make Brazilian-style food all the time. It's the style of cooking that makes it in tune with my culture – rice, meat and a side, but it's made in a more Brazilian way. There's also a Brazilian dessert, brigadeiro, that I make a lot.
How do you stay connected to your culture and heritage?
I try to keep up with my family, who are back in Brazil, as much as I can, and we call each other basically every day. There's a Brazilian student group at UNC and I'm friends with people from that group, so it's nice to have that community here on campus.
How has your Hispanic/Latinx upbringing influenced your life?
Growing up in Brazil shaped me and made me into the person I am today. Even though I changed a lot since coming to the U.S., at the end of the day, there are still certain cultural differences. Despite those differences, my core is, and always will be, Brazilian.
Stay up to date with Carolina men's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
During the final week of the month-long celebration, University of North Carolina men's soccer will be spotlighting its players who are part of the Latinx and Hispanic communities while honoring how our diversity makes us stronger – on and off the pitch.
Meet Gui Vivaldini
Gui Vivaldini is a sophomore midfielder/forward from Itupeva, Brazil. Both of his parents also hail from Brazil: His mother, Catia, is from Salvador and his father, Mauro, is from São Paulo. Vivaldini moved from Brazil to Tennessee to attend high school before arriving in Chapel Hill.
What does Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month mean to you?
This month means celebrating different cultures and the diversity that's in our community. It allows us to highlight our culture and traditions and contributions. It also allows me to reflect on my family and where I grew up and how it shaped me.
Why is it important to celebrate Hispanic/Latinx Heritage month?
Celebrating this month gives us the chance to share our stories, because those stories make us who we are. For me, I'm proud of my roots, and this month gets to spotlight that.
In what ways do you celebrate your culture year-round?
Food is the biggest way I celebrate my culture, and I make Brazilian-style food all the time. It's the style of cooking that makes it in tune with my culture – rice, meat and a side, but it's made in a more Brazilian way. There's also a Brazilian dessert, brigadeiro, that I make a lot.
How do you stay connected to your culture and heritage?
I try to keep up with my family, who are back in Brazil, as much as I can, and we call each other basically every day. There's a Brazilian student group at UNC and I'm friends with people from that group, so it's nice to have that community here on campus.
How has your Hispanic/Latinx upbringing influenced your life?
Growing up in Brazil shaped me and made me into the person I am today. Even though I changed a lot since coming to the U.S., at the end of the day, there are still certain cultural differences. Despite those differences, my core is, and always will be, Brazilian.
Stay up to date with Carolina men's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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