When I recently sat down with Ms. Midttun, one of our Spanish teachers, her passion for Hispanic culture was clear. She teaches everything from Spanish 1 all the way up to AP Spanish Literature, so she’s seen it all. We talked about Hispanic Heritage Month and why it’s such a big deal. “Our culture is all about reaching for the stars,” she said, which got me thinking—there’s so much more to Hispanic culture than just the foods we eat or the music we dance to.
Ms. Midttun reminded me that even though Hispanic communities have faced a lot of struggles, like discrimination and loss, they’ve always found ways to adapt. She shared stories about how kids back in the day would deal with tough situations, and yet they’ve always managed to make something great out of nothing. It’s all about that drive to adapt and grow, no matter what comes our way.
Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15, and it’s all about celebrating these kinds of stories—the resilience, the contributions, and the achievements of the Hispanic community, not only here in the U.S. but around the world too. Did you know that over 65 million Hispanic people live in the United States? That’s a whole lot of culture, history, and spirit!
Get involved
So, how can we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at our school? Easy: get involved! Our Spanish Club is hosting events all year long, from decorating our school to participating in the Spanish week. You can also join us in volunteering for community service activities, like helping out at local Hispanic community centers. It’s not just about having fun but also about giving back and learning a bit about the culture.
If you’re interested, you can join the Spanish Club with the Google Classroom code o5k4ywt. That’s where you’ll find updates on all our activities, sign-ups, and more ways to get involved. Whether it’s joining our club, learning about a hispanic country, or just connecting with people, there’s something for everyone.
Why is it important?
Hispanic Heritage Month isn’t just some holiday on the calendar. It’s a time to recognize how much Hispanic culture has contributed to the world. Whether it’s by innovating literature like Miguel de Cervantes which created Don Quijote, brilliant artists like Pablo Picasso, engineering marvels at NASA like Katya Echazarreta, or amazing music creators like Shakira, the Hispanic community has influenced so many aspects of life over the globe .
As Ms. Midttun put it, “Our culture is about adaptation.” And honestly, there’s something everyone can learn from that. So, let’s take this month to celebrate, learn, and appreciate.
