Langston Aerospace and Environmental Studies Magnet School held its second annual celebration Friday in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The annual celebration honors the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America.
"What I am trying to do with this event is to teach about other cultures and how they have influenced America, as well as those who are native born, and that we need to respect them," Betty Telles, English for Speakers of Other Languages facilitator, said. "They deserve to be here just as much as we do."
Kindergarten students sang and performed nursery rhymes in the gym. First-grade classes described photographs featured in the book, "Family Pictures," by Carmen Lomas Garza.
Second-grade students acted out skits, third-grade students presented information about famous Hispanic Americans and how they influenced U.S. culture and fourth-grade students explained the process of becoming a naturalized citizen. The final student performance focused on five themes of good citizenship.
"I hope they learn tolerance for each other, good citizenship and respect for other cultures," Telles said.
Hispanic Heritage Week started in 1968 and became an annual monthlong observation in 1988. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua each celebrate their independence days on Sept. 15. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.
Local on 10/16/2017