Central Catholic Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month With School Assembly

TOLEDO, OH - On October 8, Central Catholic held its second annual Hispanic Heritage assembly in Krompak Hall.  The assembly included a traditional Mexican dance performance by members of the folk dancing group, El Corazon de Mexico, and a discussion about the quinceañera, a traditional Latin American celebration of a girl's 15th birthday that marks her transition from childhood into young womanhood and community responsibility.

Last year was Central Catholic’s first-ever Hispanic Heritage assembly, and it focused on personal stories about specific people at CCHS and how they celebrate their Hispanic heritage.  This year, the event focused on the culture of the quinceañera - what it is and what it means, how it involves the entire family, how it incorporates our Catholic faith, and the dresses the girls wear.  Several students who have had their quinceanera wore their dresses at the assembly. 

“My quinceañera was three years ago, so it’s very meaningful for me to be able to revisit such a beautiful celebration that I had,” said senior Marianna Cortez.  “I really enjoyed putting the dress back on because I will probably never do that again in my lifetime.  It was very special to share my experience with all the students at Central Catholic.”

“My quinceañera was a moment I wished for since I was old enough to talk,” added senior Elaina Pedroza.  “I’ve carried it through my life since then, and I even wrote my college essay about it.  It was very meaningful to talk about it and for Central Catholic to share our experiences.”

Senior Mayte Padilla and sophomore Guadalupe (Lupe) Padilla are dancers with El Corazon De Mexico, and they performed at the assembly.  The group was founded in 1996 by director Elaina Hernandez, who is a 1998 CCHS graduate, to educate people about the history and culture of Mexico through folkloric dance.  El Corazon De Mexico, a group of over 60 dancers ranging in age from 6 to 39 years, performs at festivals, culture celebrations, parties, weddings, civic and religious functions, and other events.  The group name translates to The Heart of Mexico.

“As we know, Central Catholic is made up of students and families from many different backgrounds, cultures, and traditions,” said Maria MacDonald, Spanish teacher and Spanish Club moderator.  “Taking the time to celebrate and learn about these cultures reminds us that the diversity within our school community is something to be valued and appreciated.

“For those of us who are Hispanic, whether you are a student, teacher, or staff member, seeing our culture and traditions represented at school can create a sense of pride, belonging, and connection.  For other students, it is an opportunity to learn about traditions they may not have experienced themselves and to develop a greater understanding and appreciation for the people around them.

“I believe assemblies like this help us live out an important part of our Catholic identity as well.  We are called to recognize the dignity and unique gifts of every person.  Learning about and celebrating the cultures represented at Central Catholic allows us to see those differences not as something that separates us, but as something that enriches our school community.

“In the end, the goal is not simply to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month for one month.  It is to help our students develop curiosity, respect, empathy, and appreciation for one another, and to remind every student that their culture, family, and story have a place in our Central Catholic community.”

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from September 15 to October 15.  It began as a week-long celebration in 1968 under President Johnson and was expanded to a month by President Reagan in 1988.  The month-long celebration provides more time to properly recognize the significant contributions Hispanic/Latino Americans have made in the United States.

The timeframe of Hispanic Heritage Month is significant because many Central American countries celebrate their independence days within these dates, beginning on September 15 with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.  By aligning with these independence dates, Hispanic Heritage Month honors the resilience and determination of the Hispanic community.  It provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the unique voices and experiences of Hispanic/Latino Americans, recognize their history, journeys, and achievements, and showcase the cultural influences the Latino community has had on the United States.