The Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month
By Emma Cazes, Social Media Manager (2023)
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15th to October 15th by celebrating Hispanic history, culture, and all the contributions Hispanic people have made to help make America a more diverse and accepting nation. People of Hispanic background come from many different places, like Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
Some fun at Hispanic Heritage Month festivals, celebrating their ethnicity and traditions.
(Image courtesy #1 from Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, Diocese of Grand Rapids, https://grdiocese.org/hispanic-heritage-month/.,)
All the flags, celebrating all the different nations included in Hispanic Heritage Month.
(Imaafe courtesy What Is Hispanic Heritage Month?, Hola America, https://holaamericanews.com/what-is-hispanic-heritage-month-2/.)
The celebration started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week but President Reagan extended it to an entire month due to the many Hispanic celebrations and holidays. September 15th is Independence Day for multiple countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their Independence Day on September 16th and September 18th. Finally, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza is on October 12th. Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated with many festivals, art shows, and gatherings.
At CHSN, we celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month in many ways, including our own Ram’s Horn Hispanic Heritage Month Feature Contest. Below are some of the amazing student submissions we received:
Writing
Grandmother’s Mangú
By Scarlett Artiles, Class of 2026
I remember when I was 10 years younger,
Dreaming of Grandma’s delicious breakfast treat
Waking up early from the sun’s bright gleam;
That sneaked through the thin and threaded drapes
No matter how early my little self arose from the covers,
Grandma greeted me with a gentle smile that seemed to never dim
A beautiful aroma arised behind the bedroom door,
Signaling me to scurry to Grandma’s tiny and welcoming kitchen
The kitchen embraced a variety of sweet sounds,
Like the boiling of green plantains;
Or the frying of a crispy sunny side up egg;
And sizzle of golden brown ham
Sounds and flavorful colors of Grandma’s cooking combined;
When she carefully placed each ingredient on the plate
It was a plate full of sunshine,
That couldn’t conceal Grandma’s love for me and her family
10 years older now,
Whenever rain pours down hard
Soaking me with sadness and despair,
I think back to Grandma’s savory treat
A treat brought from a island filled of no worries,
Devoured by neighbors who are always ready to give a helping hand
A home that never left Grandma’s heart;
A place Grandma left to give her precious children something great
When I remember Grandma’s courage,
And the happiness she brought with her;
I can feel my spirit rises once more,
Motivating me to find something precious of my own
(Image Courtesy of https://salimaskitchen.com/mangu/)
La Fiesta
By Lucas Acosta, Class of 2026
I walk through the concrete path,
Into the lively sounds of bachata music.
The grill’s smoke pillared with wrath
Above the bustling crowd was therapeutic.
My mom calls me to greet her second cousin
Who smothers me with affection.
I try to flee, yet I’m pulled by the same questions from dozens
Of people who alter my intended direction.
I’m whisked to the grill, red snapper searing, moro on a tin tray.
The tenderness of the fish distracts me from the honorary guest.
His eminence could be felt throughout the party today.
The sombrero on top of his frail frame and cigar in hand only impressed.
Unseen by the naked eye is the burden that he bears.
I strive to be successful to complete my goals and share his story everywhere.
Artwork
Artwork by Yusmar Santander Carrero, Class of 2026
