Hispanic Heritage Month is a way of honoring Hispanic countries and their amazing cultures that have been brought into the United States. In America, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 through October 15 (1 month). We celebrate not just to honor but to allow individuals to express their culture in their own unique individual way. As well as others to recognize the beauty of other cultures. A bunch of schools know and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month especially here at WHS. “ We celebrate Hispanic heritage at school because it’s important to recognize and honor the contributions of all cultures in our country and here at Wyoming we hope to promote respect for different heritages and also to educate students of all the different cultures and achievements within the Hispanic community,” Mrs. Bernatowitz said.
WHS represented Hispanic Heritage Month by adding decorations around the Spanish classes and by the World Culture Club. Students had different opinions, though. “ I don’t think they represented us that much,” said Jeremy Alejo. “I think they could’ve done better.”
Others felt that the variety of Hispanic people was not represented as much as it could have been. “ Carribeans could have been more represented,” said Francis Guzman . “They mostly focused on central Hispanics. They could’ve represented us more. “
Other students agreed that the club did well promoting Central American cultures. “ Yes, there’s always room for improvement,” Mrs. Berntowitz said. “I think that we often focus on larger groups and we talk about differences on a basic level like comparing things, basic things like food, music, and art, but i think it would also be a good idea to try to give a voice to the underrepresented groups, the smaller communities, and also to look at deeper issues like what are the challenges that they face and what impact have they had on our country because it is easy to get overlooked when it’s a smaller population. “
Hispanic students felt that the month was a time to show the culture and show how it matters to the Hispanic communities. “ As a Hispanic woman I find this to be an empowering time to see my culture and contributions recognized,” Mrs.Bernatowitz said ”It’s good because it can be a chance to reflect on the achievements of not just Hispanics but all women in history and also to elevate ongoing issues that may be found within the different Hispanic communities, especially things that impact women and you know to address struggles like inequalities and stereotypes.”
Other heritages were incorporated by showing it through language, jewelry, clothing, and more. Students can also learn about cultures through people to recognize how our heritage impacts our day-to-day lives. “ I think that we can try to incorporate recognition year-round instead of just doing one month,” Mrs.Berntowitz said. “So maybe different classes around the school can incorporate stories or literature and histories from a bunch of different cultural backgrounds and to like the everyday classes and learning. That way we can try to represent all the students. Something else that we’re starting this year at Wyoming is the Wyoming Cultures Club and there we hope we give a voice a place for everyone to celebrate their culture in a fun and positive way.“
