I think there's also a difference between the formal definitions and the way people use them.

There is, and also a difference between the way the terms are used in different regions and/or different communities. Around here, I don't think I've ever heard someone say that they (or someone else) was Hispanic but not Latino, or Latino but not Hispanic -- but the distinction from the website linked upthreadwards between Hispanic as the term of government statistics and Latino as the term of the community is common.

Hispanic became a legal term in the United States for census reason in the 1970s-- I put Hispanic because, well, we were. Technically speaking, in the case of your friend, Hil, she would be identified as Latina but not necessarily Hispanic, because she doesn't have a genetic tie to Spain/Iberian Peninsula. However, as far as the government was concerned,

During the 1970s, various groups lobbied the United States Government to formally define Spanish speakers as "non-white Hispanics" (in disregard of actual skin color or racial background) for Census data in order to qualify them for affirmative action programs. The lobbying efforts resulted in Public Law 94-311, "Economic and Social Statistics for Americans of Spanish Origin" on June 16, 1976.[11][12] The 1970 Census was the first time that a "Hispanic" identifier was used and data collected with the question being modified in each successive Census. The 2000 Census placed the "Hispanic" question before the race question asking if the person was "Spanish/Hispanic/Latino" and requiring a box to be checked "No" if the person was not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino

And my mother, she of the long line of Spanish relatives going back to the... fifteenth century (I think) is incredibly pale, has gray/green eyes and had light brown hair before she succumbed to the lure of Clairol's Flame Red 33 in the 60s.

Ah, but how can you resist the flame red when you've already got the green eyes to go with it?

but she also said that she identified as Colombian and her first language was Spanish, so that's what seemed like the best choice. (The "white" choice on those forms actually says "white, non-Hispanic.") She got some strange looks when she showed up for the college tours and was met by representatives of the Hispanic student groups -- she's very blond, blue eyes, and incredibly pale.

IMHO, that sort of "identity" is best left to self-definition. My Aunt Elena Mercedes OurSpanishSurname has dark hair and eyes and the distinct jaw and nose of her Grandfather who came from Cuba. But any Spanish she spoke she'd learned in school and my Grandfather's cooking wasn't (other than some seasoning choices) particularly Cuban. She's never identified as Latina at all though it was commonly assumed until she married.

Ah, but how can you resist the flame red when you've already got the green eyes to go with it?

She should have resisted. I have NIGHTMARES about that color. I mean, it was really, really red. Not found in nature red. And we're talking in the 70s, when not found in nature colors were anywhere near the rage.

She also used to mow the front lawn wearing a bikini. And did I mention that we lived RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET from my elementary school?

It's amazing I'm as (relatively) normal as I am.

IMHO, that sort of "identity" is best left to self-definition.

It is. Especially if it's the sort of thing that's shoved down your throat. When I was a kid in Miami, I identified far more as an American girl than a Cuban-American girl. For one thing, the hyphenation as a common form of identification wasn't really in use. You were either Cuban or American. And I was an adolescent at the time of the Mariel boatlift, which caused a lot of heated feelings in South Florida and so if you said you were Cuban, people automatically assumed you were a Marielito. Since I spoke English with no accent, I very firmly responded "American," if I was asked.

As far as I can recall, the usual choices on SAT and college forms were White, non-Hispanic; Black, non-Hispanic; Hispanic; Native American; Native Alaskan; Asian/Pacific Islander; and Other. I can't remember whether Native Hawaiian was a separate category or not, but Native Alaskan definitely was.

Someone tell me that going and playing with the kids is a good idea. It's just so ick out. I feel like getting myself a bowl of ice cream and plopping in front of the tv for the rest of my life.

vw, if those kids get the least little idea that you are sad, they'll clown so hard to cheer you up, or be so sweet it makes your teeth hurt. Go.

GC, what a rough situation.

IIRC, Native Hawaiian is under API.

I can't remember whether Native Hawaiian was a separate category or not

It's usually not. Native Hawaiians are still fighting for the sovereignty that is granted to Native Alaskans and Native Americans.