Addison Trail celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

Addison Trail social worker Jorge de Leon (center) sells Mexican-style corn, called “elote,” with Addison Trail senior Britney Galeana (left) and junior Jasmine Reyes as part of the school's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. The school hosted activities and fundraisers from Sept. 23 to 27 in recognition of the event.

Addison Trail recently celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, with a week full of activities and fundraisers. For more information, go to www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov.

Throughout the week, which took place from Sept. 23 to 27, students and staff sported the 2019 Hispanic Heritage Month T-shirt. This year’s T-shirt design had a “Coco” theme, a fantasy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Activities included a series of fundraisers to benefit a scholarship for a graduating Addison Trail senior. To meet the $1,000 goal, students and staff sold the T-shirts and Mexican-style corn, called “elote.”

Pupils also learned about several aspects of National Hispanic Heritage Month, including that it began in 1968 and was originally observed as “Hispanic Heritage Week” under President Lyndon Johnson, but was later extended to a month during President Ronald Reagan’s term in 1988. They also were made aware of the milestone that Addison Trail has celebrated the occasion annually for the past three years. During the daily announcements, facts were shared about historical figures with Hispanic heritage, and some teachers catered lesson plans to highlight the event, said Jorge de Leon, Addison Trail social worker and one of the staff members who helped organize the week.

“This week is so meaningful for so many of the students at Addison Trail,” said de Leon. “The week connects students with their identities as they learn more about their heritage.”

Although the annual “Movie Under the Stars” that was scheduled for Sept. 27 was canceled due to inclement weather, the 2019 Hispanic Heritage celebration delivered fun and knowledge.

Other staff members who helped coordinate this year’s celebration are Iridia Niewinski, Alma Villegas, Yesenia Favela, Megan Salgado, Jessica Connolly, Angel Vega, Itzel Carranza, Dana Marine, Karla Cosio, Lilia De La Torre, Daniel Fernandez, Ulises Ortiz, Jose Hernandez, Nadia Gomez-Moran, Maria Oplawski and Tammy Bending.

On Oct. 12, Addison Trail will continue its celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month with its sixth annual Kermes (Latino food festival). The Kermes will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. at the school and will feature traditional Latino dishes, live entertainment, raffles and family-friendly activities. See all the details at https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/11220.