By Pamela Stern
Students in the Spring Creek After School Program held an event that celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month. The students learned about the Hispanic culture by learning about the language, music, dances, art and delectable foods. Each of the grades in the Spring Creek After School Program participated in this glorious embrace of Hispanic Cultural Heritage. Ms. Jackie, who is the Senior Head Counselor in the Spring Creek After School Program and is an Art Specialist for the fifth grade students coordinated this extravaganza that showcased the students hard work on Friday, October 13th at PS 346.
“This fiesta gave our parents a tour of Spanish countries spanning from the Caribbean, South America, Central America, and Spain and Mexico,” stated Ms. Jackie.
“Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is so important because it celebrates the diversity that the Spanish community brings to the table such as; culture, food, music, and language. It also celebrates the freedom of some Spanish-speaking countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and so many more,” said Ms. Jackie.
Ms. Jackie and the Spring Creek After School Program Director, Randi Ray narrated the event. Kindergarten and first grade students took the audience on a tour of the Caribbean and presented delectable foods that are representative of Haiti. Ms. Kesha helped the students present these foods that included, Vegan Haitian Beef Patties, Lemonade, and some sweet desserts.
Second grade students showed off their moves by dancing to Salsa music. These students practiced for this event like the dancers do on Dancing with the Stars. Salsa dancing is a part of the Hispanic culture and is representative of many different countries.
The third graders presented some delicious foods that are representative of South America that included: Empanadas, Plantain Chips, and lets not forget the wonderful Churros, and Jell-O desserts.
Fourth Graders showed off their language skills with speaking Spanish. These students practiced learning Spanish in the After School Program particularly for this event. They also learned that there are different dialects of Spanish in different countries.
The fifth-grade students presented the Vejigante Mask and explained how they are specifically tied to Puerto Rico. These masks were brought in from Spain, however Puerto Rico altered the significance of them with Taino and African-American culture.
“As an Afro-Latinx educator, teaching the importance of this month is very meaningful to me mainly because some countries are forgotten or not explored enough in schools. Hispanic culture as a whole is a vast rainbow of diversity, pride, and love that I hope our parents, guests and students got to embrace,” said, Ms. Jackie.
Photos by: Voshon Thomas
