Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from the fifteenth of September to the fifteenth of October. This is a period of time dedicated to honoring the history behind Hispanic heritage, observing the culture, and recognizing the community’s accomplishments.
Decades ago, long before this celebration lasted for a month, the observation was held for only a week in 1968 under the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson. Twenty years later on August 17th of 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a law, expanding the allotted time from one week to a thirty-day interval, from September 15 to October 15, every year.
The fact that Hispanic Heritage Month has been stuck right into the middle of September and October may seem out of the ordinary at first glance, but there is a significant reason behind the selected time period. Before the decision was made to expand the length of time, the week of September 15th was chosen, as it encompassed many of the Central American countries’ independence days. By the time the idea was proposed to stretch this week out into a month, drafters chose to keep the starting date, simply adding an additional 23 days.
For many students at Coral Glades, Hispanic Heritage Month is more than just a time of celebration, it is an opportunity to explore their own identities and learn more about their cultural backgrounds. Students are encouraged to look into and embrace the traditions, customs, and history that define their heritage, further strengthening their sense of identity throughout this meaningful period of self-reflection. So far, students have expressed contentment with the fact that they are able to come together and explore the intertwined history and traditions of their cultures during this month.
When asked about the feelings surrounding Hispanic Heritage Month and his very own identity as a mixed student at CGHS, sophomore Ryelle Tibby expressed, “I’m very proud of my heritage because being Dominican is awesome!”
With Hispanic students making up around 34% of the school’s population, this month offers a sense of belonging and community for those who may feel underappreciated in everyday school life.
“I think Hispanic Heritage Month is a great way to embrace Hispanic culture.” Says Isabella Davalos, a sophomore. “It is a way to honor many of the Hispanic heroes and stories that show what we have achieved, which we wouldn’t have been able to without.”
Since the beginning of the week, students at Coral Glades have been showing off their patriotism by participating in events held by the Spanish Honor Society and the Spanish club. Earlier this week on the sixteenth, the clubs held a spirit day where students were encouraged to wear a jersey representing their country. This seemed to be one of the most widely participated themes after homecoming spirit week’s class colors.
All in all, celebrations like this are important because they help create a greater sense of community, as students are able to bond over their heritage and represent their respective countries with pride.
