(PUEBLO, Colo.) — On Saturday, Sept. 21 CSU Pueblo participated in the Rocky Mountain Mexican Dance Competition and missed first place by one point with its Ballet Folklorico. The Ballet Folklorico is an intricate and unique dance that honors the traditions of their ancestors and highlights the integration of their heritage into their history, culture, and identity. CSU Pueblo said the team conducted their research locally and collaborated with Pueblo's Mexican community. "To hear my students give testimonies about what it means for them is really very powerful for me to understand that their lives change when they start recognizing their roots and recognizing their identity and knowing where they come from. It gives them more tools to become part of the community that they live in," said Iskia Merino, Coordinator for CSU Pueblo Ballet Folklorico. The competition featured eight teams from across the United States.