Fiesta at the Grove: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Together! By: Alissa Alvarado

Hillgrove is coming alive with color, music, and pride as we celebrate our Hispanic   Heritage Festival! This special event honors the vibrant cultures, traditions, and contributions of   Hispanic and Latino communities that enrich our school and beyond. These festivals and events that schools throw help bring students and staff together in many different ways. As stated by   Brightwheelblog “Hispanic Heritage Month is a wonderful opportunity to teach children about the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic communities in the United States. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month for children in the classroom helps build empathy, cultural awareness, and an appreciation for the diversity that strengthens our communities.” Julian Rios, a student from Hillgrove High school states “I think events like this bring students closer together because it helps teach students about their culture.” Events like this remind us that understanding and celebrating our differences bring us closer as a community. Hillgrove’s Hispanic Heritage Festival shows that when we honor each other’s stories, we build a brighter, more connected   future for everyone.

The Hillgrove Hispanic Heritage Festival came alive through the vibrant contributions of many different cultures, each sharing unique games, candys, music, and different clothing backgrounds. Together, these diverse cultural expressions created a rich and joyful celebration that honored the depth and beauty of Hispanic heritage. As mentioned by Academic Search “The   Hispanic population in the U.S. is an incredibly diverse group of people with a multitude of distinct backgrounds. While Spanish is the principal language that is shared across the diaspora of over 20 countries around the world, it’s essential we recognize the indigenous dialects and ethnic languages that are also spoken. Understanding the diversity amongst this population, it is important to acknowledge that it is not advisable to assume that all Hispanics are the same.” Mariana Acevedo, a student from Hillgrove High School, expresses,"there was a lot of seaprt people who were different races that were coming in, helping out, helping put on the dresses, helping dance, helping people how to dance and yea there was just like a lot of people showing how to dance". Recognizing and honoring the rich variety of cultures within Hispanic heritage encourages respect and appreciation for all backgrounds. This festival not only celebrates tradition but also fosters a deeper awareness of the complexity and beauty of the Hispanic experience.   

For the students and staff at Hillgrove, Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to embrace and share the vibrant stories, music, and traditions that reflect their diverse backgrounds. It’s an opportunity to build cultural awareness and bring the school community closer together. As mentioned by National Museum American Latino “Hispanic Heritage Month is a month-long celebration of Hispanic and Latino history and culture. While we celebrate Hispanic and Latino communities beyond this month, from September 15 to October 15 we give extra recognition to the many contributions made to the history and culture of the United States, including important advocacy work, vibrant art, popular and traditional foods, and much more.” Mayra Recinos, a staff member from Hillgrove High school, explains more about how students and staff had personal connections to the festival, “I think for me as a staff, um, it meant a lot because, as you know, Hillgrove is becoming to be a more diverse school so I wanted to make sure that all of the students felt like they were not, excluded They felt that there was a little piece of them in here that they could represent. How, by, you know, their culture. And that, I mean, students, um, uh, that was, I mean, they enjoyed it because they were able, they were able to enjoy and take pride of where their parents came from and who they are.” Events like these inspire pride and unity, encouraging students and staff to embrace their unique backgrounds. Together, Hillgrove continues to build a welcoming environment where all cultures are celebrated and valued.