From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, ETHS is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a variety of events and activities, ranging from karaoke to soccer tournaments.
“It’s a time to reflect and celebrate contributions that people with Latino and Hispanic roots have had here in the US,” explained Gabriella Perez, a Heritage Spanish teacher at ETHS.
This year’s theme for the month-long celebration is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
“I wish for this month that not just our own Latinx body is involved. We want to involve the school as a whole to learn about our culture,” said Nicole Sanchez, sponsor of Latinx QUEST at ETHS.
Perez mentioned that Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates more than just the people whose contributions stand out.
“We have artists, we have athletes, but there’s also your ordinary people. People that help the country run,” said Perez. “You’ve got office workers, you’ve got teachers, you’ve got restaurant workers.”
Every year, ETHS keeps some Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations the same and adds new events.
“I think every year, we’re trying to think of what else we could do to draw kids in…we’re always looking for new ideas,” said Perez.
The Latino Caucus, made up of adults in the school, meets and plans events. At their meetings, members choose events to take charge of and organize.
This year, ETHS kicked off the celebrations by going to the White Sox Hispanic Heritage Night with the Latinx QUEST club. Each week, there is a new event at the school, and there are teacher vs. student soccer tournaments every Friday during lunch. The celebrations include raspas (snow cones), movies, Lotería (similar to bingo), karaoke and at the end of the month, hot chocolate and Mexican bread.
There are many ways people can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in and outside of school. Perez suggested supporting local businesses and thinking more broadly than eating at a Mexican restaurant.
“I think that it could be celebrated in many ways. I think that when people think of Hispanic heritage, they think of Mexico and they think of Independence Day. Of course, that’s huge…but I wish people knew that it’s much more than that” said Perez.
Hispanic Heritage Month offers a chance for people to reflect on their culture as well as share it with others.
“I’m a proud Mexican woman, and I celebrate my culture all year long, but this month is a way for us to share with the entire school all our different Latino cultures,” said Sanchez.
Perez also shared how she uses this month for reflection.
“I feel like I celebrate my Hispanic heritage all year, just in different ways,” said Perez. “I’m using this time to reflect on who I am, reflect on sacrifices my parents have made to provide all the opportunities I’ve had…and just be the best version of myself, so I can contribute to society and my community, in the best way I can.”
