By Mianna Burke ’28
Derby High School is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, showcasing the amazing culture through school bulletin boards, student artwork, and the sale of delicious empanadas and churros. Spanish teachers Francisco Salazar and Oriana Camacho, along with students from Spanish classes, are excited about these festivities, bringing the spirit of Hispanic Heritage to life within the school community.
Within the school community, Hispanic Heritage Month is brought to life through various activities and lessons that highlight Hispanic culture. Salazar, a dedicated Spanish teacher at Derby High School, spreads Hispanic culture into his curriculum. Salazar said, “I’m really glad that Hispanic Heritage Month is a yearly thing. It’s an eye opener for new generations to see that Hispanic culture is one of the biggest cultures in the United States.” He elaborated on how he himself highlights and recognizes Hispanic culture, and said, “As a teacher, I always implement all my Spanish culture into classes and lessons, but recently I make sure that these kids learn about the 21 different Spanish countries to learn more about diversity. Even though we all speak Spanish, it’s good to learn about the foods and different music within Spanish cultures.” He hopes that students see that he’s not only teaching the culture, but he is the culture. Salazar wants to make sure they improve and master the Spanish language and expand their knowledge about the culture.
Camacho, another Spanish teacher at Derby High School, actively celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month. She said, “Hispanic Heritage month means to me celebrating my culture and heritage and being proud of where I came from, showing my love and support for my community.” She celebrates by “doing activities with all the students in my classes, Spanish club, and the Spanish honor society, like the empanadas and churros sale.” She also said, “I had the middle schoolers come and make posters about famous Hispanic people and just talk about important Hispanic activities in America.” Camacho emphasizes that Hispanic people make a huge difference in everyday lives, showing the importance of Hispanic Heritage Month. Camacho ensures that students at DHS gain a deeper appreciation for Hispanic cultures by sharing and helping them learn about her culture and much more.
Following the two Spanish teachers, students Carlos Balanos noted that Hispanic Heritage Month “means to me that I can honor different people and how they get to work together to define the United States as we are today, and I get a chance to represent my culture. It just brings out a good celebration…. I think Hispanic culture and history are well represented in the school and in the community because there is a big bulletin board, and I see a lot of culture and Hispanic people throughout the building.”
Faith Men ‘28 added that it “means more about the community and overall the past of generations that created Hispanic paths today and how we are able to successfully prove ourselves as anyone else can.” She also stated, “I am most proud of our individuality, and regardless of which ethnicity we are, we come together as a community and share similarities that strengthen our beliefs. I am also proud of our holidays, that count to everyone else, and events that not only show off our pride in our culture but also include everyone, even if they are not in Hispanic culture.” These perspectives highlight the importance of the month in celebrating heritage, community, and the contributions of Hispanic individuals.
Together, the voices of students and Spanish teachers show that Hispanic Heritage Month continues to leave a meaning mark at Derby High School. Through the Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, it is clear that DHS is a cultivating community for all, that values the importance of showcasing, celebrating, and embracing the diversity within the school community.
The Raider Press 