Hispanic Heritage Month, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, celebrates a rich tapestry of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. SCHS’s Raza Latina Club gave their annual presentation celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and Día De Los Muertos on Monday Oct. 28, 2024, which informed students about Latino and Hispanic culture with performances from student-led mariachi and folklórico.

A traditional Latin dance based on Mexican cultural heritage, folklórico, is known for its festive colors and intricate footwork that combines ballet and folk dance. Each region in Mexico has a different type of dance for folklórico that tells a story about the region’s history.

Senior Ariana Aviles contributed to Raza Latina’s presentation by participating in folklórico. Aviles dances professionally and believes the presentation was her chance to share her hidden talent with her peers. Although she was hesitant to participate, some of her favorite moments were on the theater stage.

“The memory of preparing, rushing and running back and forth behind the stage, trying to be perfect and ready to perform will always stick with me,” Aviles said. “It’s always so hectic, but that feeling is the best.”

Mariachi member junior Julianna Arias had the pleasure of performing for the first time in this year’s presentation. Mariachi music is a type of cultural music usually associated with Mexico that incorporates brass and string instruments. As a Mexican American, Arias believes participating in cultural presentations is important because it shows that she is proud of her culture.

“I think it’s important for me to participate because it shows that I am proud of my heritage,” Arias said. “It’s important that everyone can learn about each other’s cultures and gain an appreciation for each other.”

To many students, the cultural presentations mean more than the weeks of preparation and show day. Mexican American and president of Raza Latina senior Danna Cruz is hopeful about the opportunity to keep Latino and Hispanic culture alive. She explained the importance of connecting with one another due to the campus’s large Hispanic and Latino community.
“It’s important to me to think about your heritage because you yourself are composed of hundreds of different generations to be this one person, so I think it’s very easy to lose your generational identity,” Cruz said.

Similarly, Aviles feels that her cultural pride is deeper than merely participating in a school presentation.

“My Hispanic roots mean a lot to me. They connect me to family traditions, special foods, amazing music and dancing, as well as celebrations that are passed down through generations,” Aviles said.

Raza Latina’s presentation stood as an opportunity for many students to connect with one another through the celebration of Hispanic and Latino heritage while immersing SCHS in their traditions.

“It’s a presentation celebrating our culture, our heritage, and we built such a wonderful community here even if it’s just for one day,” Arias said.