National Hispanic Heritage Month is annually celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 to highlight the contributions and influences of Hispanic culture to the history and culture of the United States. It was established and signed into law in 1968.
Initially, it was celebrated only a week, but later on, President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a month.
Hispanic Americans are today identified by the countries from which they or their ancestors originated. This includes Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Spain. The dates are important for several countries. Sept. 15 marks the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates its independence on Sept. 16, Chile on Sept. 18, and Belize on Sept. 21.
Wildcats also celebrated this annual holiday by decorating school hallways and doing various posters about Hispanic culture and its contributions.
Spanish 3 students did what’s called ‘The Wings Project’ and Spanish Honors students made ‘Dancing Mirror’ to represent important Hispanic events and figures. There were also posters hanging around the hallways which were made by Professor Jamie Youngblood’s students.
The Hispanic community has brightened American culture in many ways. Currently, The World Languages Department is working on celebrating The Day of the Dead, which is on November 1st. Holidays are part of cultural traditions and they gain community spirit and excitement.
Youngblood helped to set up the projects and decorate the hallways.
“I think Professor Martin did a great job capturing the essence of Hispanic culture and it helped students to realize the important contributions of Hispanic people to our society,”said Youngblood.
Hispanic Americans have contributed and influenced American history.The most obvious example can be its influence on food. Mexican food is considered to be one the most favorable cuisine among Americans. Tacos, burritos and quesadillas have conquered peoples hearts.
Estephany Sandino is a senior at RCHS, and she is from one of the Spanish speaking countries – Nicaragua.
“I do celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, because I’m originally from Nicaragua and I’m very pleased to see how the community around me values Latinas,” said Sandino.
The Wings Project represents the vital events in Spanish speaking countries and is built as ‘wings’, which students can take pictures with. Professor Andy Martin and Professor Jamie Youngblood organized the celebration of this valuable holiday.
“When you’re out and about, think about how different peoples have contributed to this nation and the world,” said Martin.
The Hispanic Month highlights not only the contributions and achievements to the American culture, but also how Latinos became an essential part of the United States by bringing their culture and influencing most American traditions and values. They serve in the military, and are artists, architects, teachers, doctors and make our society better every day.
