Hispanic Heritage Month always brings a party to Pershing Park Elementary School and this year it was after school Thursday, when song, dance and food stretched from the cafeteria stage throughout the hallways and around the school perimeter.
Fifth-grader Ruben Gomez, one of two fifth grade MCs for the event, said the celebration spoke to family and to tradition.
“This program is about kids celebrating Hispanic Heritage. I am from Mexico so that is my heritage,” he said.
“It represents our blood and our family. When I was up there (at the podium), I was thinking about how important it is to do this, and I was thinking about my family. I enjoyed representing my school.”
“Here at Pershing Park we like to celebrate a lot of cultures,” he said, noting the decorations in the hallways and the food samples families provided.
“We celebrate each year Hispanic heritage,” said parent liaison Rocio Ortiz. “We have a big population on our campus. We are a bilingual campus. It’s also how we can come together regardless of where we come from.”
“To me, it’s very important to do this for our kids so they never forget where they come from.”
Music teacher Jordan Coe led the school’s third grade classes in several songs and dances connected to the culture.
Following the music and dance, family members walked through the hallways, decorated to represent Spanish-speaking countries like Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, Panama and many others.
They also lined up at tables outside the school, where families provided authentic food to celebrate the day.
Hispanic Heritage Month stretches from September 15 to October 15. Those days coincides with the anniversary date of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile.
Pershing Park Hispanic Heritage celebration photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720329297408