Feliz Navidad
from the Latinx Student Union By: Patsy Vargas - Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Each year, the Archbishop Mitty community looks forward to the holidays and the opportunity to celebrate Christmas. During this time of year, families gather together, continue traditions, and create new memories. As Catholics, we acknowledge the birth of Christ and remember this day in a special way. their iPads and draw an original Christmas tree. Gift cards Here on campus, the Latinx Student Union works directly with and other prizes are awarded to the students with the best Campus Ministry to organize a celebration for the feast day of drawings. The meeting ends with our annual group picture. Our Lady of Guadalupe, or Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, with a Mass on December 12th. In Latinx communities throughout Outside of school, many families in the Latin America and in the United States, Latin American tradition come together this day is just as important as Christmas. to make tamales in preparation for a Many families attend Mass starting at LSU students gather to grand celebration on Christmas Eve. midnight, often arriving to a colorful decorate an altar for These tamales will be eaten at the strike congregation with a mariachi band of midnight, along with other holiday la Virgen de Guadalupe playing the traditional birthday hymn treats such as buñuelos, a Mexican of “Las Mañanitas.” Though AMHS in the Chapel. dessert. Senior Abigail Hernandez’s does not host a mariachi band, LSU Poinsettias and red roses favorite part of Christmas is making students gather to decorate an altar for la Virgen de Guadalupe in the Chapel. decorate an image symbolizing tamales with her family and watching Christmas movies. For Hernandez, Poinsettias and red roses decorate an the story in which she Christmas morning is celebrated with image symbolizing the story in which Mass and the opening of presents. Senior Our Lady appeared before an Indigenous appeared before an Akzel Alfaro also enjoys Christmas person named Juan Diego in what is now Indigenous person named because it means extra time spent with considered Mexico City. Juan Diego in what is now his mom and grandma. The Christmas celebration does not considered Mexico City. Just a few days later, on New Year’s Eve, end there. At AMHS, we continue or Noche Vieja, families gather, saluting the Christmas traditions by bringing the New Year with a hug and kiss on the together the Black Student Union and cheek along with a cup of twelve grapes to be finished within Latinx Student Union. Before dismissal after a semester of the first minute of the new year to ensure a year of luck and hard work, the clubs throw their annual Christmas sweater prosperity. Some more adventurous family and friends come party! Students arrive in the Monarch Room with their with a suitcase to take for a walk around the block to assure a colorful attire and an abundance of Christmas spirit. Club well-traveled year to come. On behalf of the Latinx Student moderators provide donuts as students share their plans for Union: Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Kwanzaa, the upcoming break with Christmas carols such as “Silent Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays! Have a safe and Night,” “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway, and the wonderful season! popular “Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano playing in the background. Students are given 15 minutes to take out
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ARCHBISHOP MITTY MAGAZINE
