The Bilingual Department of Chicago Heights School District 170 recently hosted its second annual Celebration of Hispanic Culture at Washington-McKinley School.
The event brought together more than 150 students, families, and friends from the three schools (Washington-McKinley, Roosevelt, and Garfield) that house the bilingual program in honoring the Hispanic culture, its customs, and its traditions.
During the program, the students celebrated the traditions of their seven native countries by performing 13 music, dance, and dramatic selections.
A reception featuring refreshments and treats, many homemade, provided by parents of the students followed the program.
"It was so wonderful to see all of the students and their families come together in the school environment to socialize and celebrate the wonderful and diverse Hispanic culture," said Shannon Vera, CHSD170's Bilingual Director.
Vera acknowledged that since many of the students in the district's bilingual program emanated from different countries with a Hispanic background, it was necessary to present an event that shared the traditions and cultures of those different countries.
"Since most of our schools celebrate Cinco de Mayo, we believed that we might appropriate performances from those programs at the schools into the Celebration of Hispanic Culture and showcase the talents of our students."
Students who participated in the program included: Caleb Valentin's first-grade, Alfredo Ferreira's second-grade, and Susanna Salina's third-grade from Garfield School; Megan Homoky's Kindergarten, and Carmen Hernandez's first-grade from Roosevelt School; Consuelo Ramirez's Kindergarten, Juana Aldape's first grade, Cristina Soto's and Luz Segovia's second grades, Gabriel Lopez's third grade, Sandra Briseno's fourth grade, and Pablo DeLaRosa's and Consuelo Ramirez's eighth grade from Washington-McKinley School; and students representing the Jones Community Center under the direction of teacher Elvia Estrada. Teachers Gabrielle Stone and Ana Ruth Landaverde directed a play featuring students of the intermediate grades.
"Seeing the pride and excitement reflected in the faces of our students as they celebrated their culture was an amazing and emotional experience," Vera said.
"The students' showed an inherent understanding of the event's importance which was demonstrated by their commitment to learning the dances and songs that are an essential part of their native cultures, and in the pride with which they performed for their families and friends."
Washington-McKinley School Principal, Dr. Gretchen Sutherland, acknowledged the success and importance of the event to the district's Hispanic community.
"The Celebration of Hispanic Culture was a fabulous success celebrating the revered Hispanic culture," Sutherland said.
"Activities like this one that involves students and their family and friends embrace an essential goal of the District 170 schools in providing an outstanding educational and engaging opportunity for the students while offering activities and celebrations that honor the heritage and cultures that are a vital part of our community," she concluded.