Flags and bright colors filled the commons on October 6, 2023, as the school gathered to celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in the second annual Flag Parade. The event kicked off with PEP’s chorus students leading the school in “Cielito Lindo,” a song in Spanish meaning ‘Beautiful Sky.’ Ms. Chung, our principal, and Ms. Trevino, the head of the ELI program, spoke at the event, along with two students. After inspiring words about what it means to be Latino, the parade was off.
Students and staff participating in the parade began by marching first around both levels of the Commons, then traveled outside, moving along the border of the parking lot and around the trailers, waving the wide array of their countries’ flags from Mexico, the Caribbean islands, and Central and South America.
ELI students would like the rest of ACC to know a few things. There are different definitions of the words ‘Latino’ and ‘Hispanic’: Latino refers to any country colonized by a country that speaks one of the four Romance languages – Italian, Spanish, French, or Portuguese. Hispanic, on the other hand, refers to any country colonized by Spain. All Hispanic people are Latino, but not all Latino people are Hispanic. Something else to add is that Latino people surpass common stereotypes and are inclusive of the diverse nature of their culture.
Be sure to participate in next year’s parade to celebrate Hispanic and Latino heritage again!
