Paris ISD Celebrates Hispanic Heritage with an Evening of Music, Dance, and Tradition
Weger Auditorium was filled with music, colorful costumes, and cultural pride on October 15 as Paris Independent School District hosted its annual Hispanic Heritage Program. The celebration brought together students, families, and staff for an evening honoring the rich traditions, history, and contributions of Hispanic cultures.
Students from Lamar County Head Start, T. G. Givens Early Childhood Center, and Justiss Elementary School took center stage, sharing their talents through lively musical performances and traditional dances. From the district's youngest learners to its fourth graders, each performance highlighted the beauty and diversity of Hispanic heritage.
The evening began with a welcome and introduction by Paris High School junior Karina León, who served as the program's emcee. Adding an educational element to the celebration, students from Adrianne Lowry's English as a Second Language (ESL) class at Aikin Elementary School helped guide the audience through the evening by sharing interesting facts about Hispanic heritage, history, and traditions between performances. Their contributions gave audience members an opportunity to learn more about the cultures being celebrated throughout the program.
Throughout the program, students delighted the audience with performances set to popular and traditional Hispanic songs, including De Colores, El Sonidito, La Bamba, Dai Dai, Que Llueva Café, and La Nena. Justiss fourth graders brought additional excitement to the stage with an energetic dance mix featuring La Boa, Rumba Cha Cha, and La Rabia.
Behind the scenes, students and staff worked together to make the celebration memorable. Paris Junior High art students, under the direction of art teacher Aaryn Honeywood, created festive decorations that helped transform the auditorium into a colorful celebration of Hispanic culture. Students from Mrs. King's ESL classes at Paris Junior High also contributed Hispanic Heritage Month projects, adding an educational element to the event.
Yesica Munguia, Paris ISD Bilingual/ESL Coordinator, organized the annual program, bringing together students and teachers from multiple campuses to showcase their talents and celebrate their heritage.
"One of the most special things about this program is seeing our students take pride in their culture and share it with others," said Munguia. "It takes a tremendous amount of teamwork to bring this celebration together, and I am so thankful for our bilingual and ESL teachers, instructional assistants, families, and everyone who helped make this evening possible. Seeing the excitement on our students' faces and the pride of their families makes all the hard work worthwhile."
More than an evening of entertainment, the annual Hispanic Heritage Program provides students with an opportunity to embrace their cultural identities, build confidence, and share meaningful traditions with the community.
Paris ISD is proud to celebrate the diversity of its students and families and the many cultures that make Wildcat Nation special.