LUNCHTIME CELEBRATION

PRHS celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with music and food for the first time

by Asusena Uribe, Carmesi

As the bell rang for lunch, the sound of music and students footsteps running towards the quad filled PRHS. For the first time at this school, a student organized lunch celebration was held on Oct. 8 featuring games, music, dancing and food. The purpose of this celebration was to embrace Hispanic Heritage Month and make sure student’s knew of the event. Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct.15 every year. Students attended the celebration cheering their peers and making sure to record this historical event.

The Activist Coalition Of Tomorrow Club ( A.C.T.) organized this event making sure to involve as many students as possible. They collaborated with the Ethnic Studies Class, Avid 12 and the Black Student Union Club (B.S.U.). Their planning began by making a list of possible goods they could bring like candy, Pan Dulce, decorations and the famously known game of Loteria. Their preparation began during the third period having more than 15 students participating.

Melissa Gonzalez, a senior, was the main organizer of this event as she is President of A.C.T. club. Gonzalez has been involved for 4 years and had a lot of excitement when it came to coordinating this event. Representation was a huge aspect when it came to showing the importance of this event to our student body.

“Because of recent racial tensions in the country, everyone seems divided and this event brought together the PRHS students, Hispanic or not. I know for a fact that the 51% Hispanic student body of our campus felt represented to see a small piece of their culture shown at their school.” Gonzalez said.

Tiffany Robles , a junior, is part of A.C.T. and B.S.U club. She was involved in helping set up for the event and even participated in the fun. Previously Robles had no idea that this event existed, so she thought it as a great way to educate others and herself.

“I feel like a lot of students were surprised to see an event like this happen at our school but I think it will affect the school in a really positive way because students now see that there is representation for people from the Hispanic culture “ Robles said. Gonzales also said “ It will also introduce Hispanic Heritage month to many students because I know a lot of the students didn’t even know it was a month.”

As this event had a great outcome , Gonzalez is also planning to make a school dance where all students can attend and dance to hispanic music. As the planning still continues, their hope to do this event hopes to bring students together during this school year.