Four students collaborated with Spanish Teacher Senora Lelanie Small in early October to create an informative showcase about Hispanic Heritage Month.

Viewers were greeted by sophomore Carlota Arias Mendez, senior Josue Alvarez Lugo, junior Ashly Lopez-Mejia, and senior Mia Lulimachi dancing to cultural music and having fun. Based on their attitudes alone, it was clear that the presenters were passionate and heavily involved with the creation of the showcase.

They provided their audience with their own personal backgrounds and cultures, and got into the history of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hispanic Heritage Month “provides more time to properly recognize the significant contributions Hispanic people have made in the United States,” the students wrote in their opening slideshow presentation.

They went into the contributions and traditions of Hispanic people, such as a variety of inventions, the Golden Era of Mexican cinema (1936-1956), Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and bullfighting.  Bullfighting originated in Spain but is also practiced in Latin-American countries. 

A big part of the Oct. 6 presentation was music, in which the presenters delved into music genres and famous Hispanic artists, ranging from Selena Quintanilla to Bad Bunny. 

At the end of the showcase, Small and the student presenters got the audience up and moving, teaching them traditional Hispanic dances, such as the Bachata. The audience was then invited to taste Hispanic snacks provided by the presenters.

The interactive showcase was presented during the day to more than 30 classes of students.