Beachwood’s Hispanic and Latino affinity group hosted a vibrant celebration in the community room on Oct. 12 in honor of Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month.
The event brought together parents, students and BHS staff members to celebrate the rich cultural traditions of Hispanic and Latino communities through food, music, dance and vibrant decorations.
The celebration featured live musical performances and interactive dance lessons. Lively rhythms filled the room, as attendees had the opportunity to participate in traditional dances, including salsa and merengue.
Decorations added to the festive atmosphere. The walls were lined with brightly colored banners, each highlighting prominent figures of Hispanic and/or Latino background. Tables were scattered with Mexican candies for attendees to try.
Maps were hung on the wall to highlight just how far Hispanic and Latino cultures are spread across the globe.
Sophomore Isabella Sanabria appreciated the effort that went into the decorations.
“[They consisted] of flags from all over,” she said. “That was very inclusive.”
The Hispanic and Latino affinity group organized the event as part of its efforts to foster cultural awareness and inclusivity in the city of Beachwood. The celebration was a showcase of art and performance as well as a learning experience to educate attendees about the history and global impact of Hispanic and Latino communities across the world.
The mission of the Hispanic and Latino affinity group, like Beachwood’s other affinity groups, is to provide connection and support and to raise awareness of issues facing the group.
“Our mission is to provide a platform to strengthen and expand the social networking of the community of Beachwood, oriented to provide support and guidance for our families and to promote the representation of culture and identity,” the group’s mission statement says.
“The network is open to participation of all Beachwood Schools families from Hispanic and Latino origins, as well as those with an interest in learning more about Hispanic and Latino culture and traditions,” the statement continues.
During this event, a complementary presentation highlighted the widespread Hispanic and Latino diaspora, tracing migration patterns and cultural influences across the world. Attendees learned about the distinction between “Hispanic,” which refers to Spanish speaking countries and “Latino,” which refers to Latin America.
Spanish Teacher Daria Cayne organized an exhibit of posters created by her students to showcase the influence of Hispanic and Latino cultures around the world. Each student highlighted a topic of their choice as long as it pertained to a Spanish speaking country.
Cayne felt it was important to involve her students in the cultural showcase.
“Being a Spanish class, It’s important that we recognize different holidays and compare and contrast, celebrate and investigate what they’re all about,” she said. “[The project] could be about a movie, sports, music, history or [even] food.”
Cayne also explained the personal, long-lasting benefits for her students.
“We are a multicultural school and a multicultural society, and [my students] are going to be out there in the world,” she said. “Being able to understand Spanish speaking cultures, perspectives, practices and products just makes for a more well-rounded student [and lifelong learner].”
Musical acts highlighted genres from different countries, giving attendees a taste of the wide variety of Hispanic and Latino music through salsa and merengue dancing. Dance sessions allowed participants to be actively engaged in the celebration.
Dance sessions were led by Abraham Klein, who has a dance studio and teaches ballroom and Latin salsa/bachata dance classes. The musical performances featured singer Kimberly Ocampo, accompanied by saxophonist Chuck McHenry and pianist L.R. Smith.
Sanabria particularly enjoyed the music and dancing.
“There was a guy who was teaching you how to dance,” she said. “Then, they would just tell you to dance and you could just grab whoever you wanted to and have fun.”
The Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month celebration was more than a showcase; it was a community-building experience. By the blending of music, dance, history and decoration, the event created a memorable experience for everyone who attended.
