On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, the Arlington Career Center celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month. All organized by students, we enjoyed dances, songs, the quinceañera tradition, and a poem full of force and hope for the Latino-Hispanic community. Even though the event lasted thirty minutes, every single person in the commons celebrated and cheered these presentations.
As a Latina student, I loved the talent, identity, and love for their roots that these Latino students showed, but also, as part of the ACC Chronicle, I felt the need to seek them out and ask them a few questions, since we are all from different parts of Latin America. Some of these students are from countries such as Honduras, El Salvador, Colombia, Peru, Puerto Rico. Our customs may vary, as may our forms of expression, and I think it is very valuable to immerse ourselves in other ways of feeling, of seeing the world, of learning about other contexts and why we are in lands that are not our own, and that we are part of this community that is characterized by being hard working, humble, and full of energy. 
One of the most moving moments of the event came when Mia Muñiz, a sophomore at Arlington Tech, presented a powerful poem she wrote herself. In the poem, she expressed her dissatisfaction with the latest issues affecting the Latino community in the country. Her poem gave me much to reflect on, and I could feel every word, every verse in my heart. As a member of the ACC Chronicle, I plan to share more about Mia’s inspiration and her poem in a future release. In the meantime, you can watch a video of her performance, thanks to Mr. O’Day, TV Production teacher.
Then, we had Keylin Marquez, a freshman at the ELI program, who performed the song Como la Flor –in English, “Like the flower”– originally by Selena Quintanilla. This song represents the pain and sorrow that a person goes through when a relationship comes to an end. Despite the pain caused by the breakup, the song wishes the best for this person who has found love again with someone else, representing how to say goodbye with maturity. I personally love this song, and I was so happy listening to it at the event because it reminded me of when I was in my country.
According to Keylin, she decided to sing Como la flor because she knows how much Selena means to the Hispanic community. In her words, Selena wasn’t just a singer, she was a symbol of pride, love and union. Her music showed us that being hispanic is something beautiful that needs to be celebrated. Keylin said that every time she sings this song, she feels connected with her culture, her roots and the people that keep her spirit alive. She wanted to show all that love and pride to the people present that day
We also celebrated quinceañeras. What is quinceañera in the first place?
That word literally means “15-year-old girl.” But it also marks the transition from girlhood to womanhood. This term is also used for the celebrant herself. The celebration is both religious and social, and it is celebrated in Mexico, South America, and also by families with Latin American roots who live in the United States. The celebration begins with a mass attended by the quinceañera, her parents, and grandparents. After the mass, a party is held to which family and close friends are invited. The party usually features food, music, dancing, and the famous hora loca –crazy time–. The quinceañera is always accompanied by her chambelanes and damas after the formal dance, which is a pre-choreographed ball. This celebration has symbolic acts such as the presentation of a doll to a younger sister, to show that the celebrant is giving up her childhood, and the placement of heeled shoes on her feet, to indicate that she is ready for womanhood.
Nowadays, many girls prefer a trip over a party, and others simply do not celebrate their quinceañera in the traditional way. Nonetheless, this tradition continues to be something that prevails and is appreciated. It should be noted that if the girl prefers to have a quinceañera party, it can be as luxurious and extravagant as her parents allow.
Ashley, one of the girls who showed up at the event wearing her quinceañera dress, said she decided to have a traditional party because she wanted to celebrate her transition from girlhood to womanhood. What she enjoyed most about that day was seeing the excited faces of her guests and how they celebrated one of the many traditions of Latin culture with her.
The Hispanic Heritage Month at Arlington Career Center was more than a celebration; it was a moment of connection. Every song, every poem, every quinceañera, and every dance delivered the beauty and diversity that exists in Latin America to the whole school. Our culture and traditions will continue to show up and stay alive. Every time we share who we are, we make our community stronger and more united. Hispanic Heritage Month will always bring joy not only to those who belong to the community but also to those who take the time and care to get to know us and celebrate with us.
¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana! – Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
Photo Credit: Steven Jones, ITC
Video Credit: Tom O’Day, TV Production
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