Every year the US and Spring Valley community, families and students celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month between September 15th through October 15th. Stories and celebrations come alive to honor Hispanic-American pride and heritage. According to the U.S. News Education, Spring Valley high school has a predominant Hispanic student population of 36% along with 79.5% minority enrollment. 

To appreciate the Hispanic community, Spring Valley’s Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica and Student Organization of Latinos organized Spring Valley Hispanic Heritage Night on October 11th between 6:00-8:00pm. The cultural event offered authentic Hispanic food and supported local businesses and student organizations. 

“This is our second annual event,” Sociedad President Felipe Dominguez said. “We want to continue hosting this event for future students and families to show Hispanic students and pride.” 

Minority and diversity organizations are crucial to giving the Spring Valley student body opportunities to feel connected with their cultures and make new friends. Annually, the Heritage night is open to every part of the local community and appreciates local businesses and entrepreneurs as well. SHH and SOL offered many activities for students and families such as having a local band play Hispanic songs, special dance performances from the school’s company dance team, and plenty of dancing room for all. 

“I am a firm believer that it [the event] brings people together,” said Dominguez. “We can create positive memories of our school environment and community!” 

Hispanic culture has been influential in American society for many generations. The US consists of a Hispanic population of over 60 million people, many of whom have different stories and goals to meet. Spring Valley has many Hispanic students that strive to make their families proud and continue to be proud of their culture, which they believe is important to portray in events such as Hispanic Heritage night. 

“These celebrations of Hispanic culture give new perspectives to people,” Sociedad Secretary Jafet Pichardo said. “We can show our practices and beliefs to a deeper extent and I’m glad we can have this kind of opportunity.” 

The Spring Valley student population was excited to show their cultures as well though SHH’s Hispanic Heritage Spirit week, which encouraged all students to show their heritage and culture. The week had specific days to show different cultural clothing from Hispanic heritage and other heritages alike. 

“When I found out we were having a Hispanic Heritage night and week I was very happy that we could share and celebrate our culture,” Senior Camila Quintanar Garcia said. “I was excited to see how everyone represented their heritage and I was excited to do the same, like wearing our cultural clothing without feeling out of place.” 

Hispanic Heritage Night had many activities for the student body, but the goal for the night was to further appreciate and represent Hispanic culture in all aspects of the community. Students and families were able to share their love and appreciation for Hispanic culture and become more open-minded to different cultures. Not only are the students and families able to appreciate Hispanic culture in one month or night, but now and in the future able to admire and see the culture in different perspectives in their lives. 

“I enjoyed the dances and music, but enjoyed seeing my friends open up to culture the most,” Senior Zoey Perez said. “I think everyone felt welcomed and encouraged to participate, but in all I’m glad people were able to really be themselves and learn from each other..hopefully these connections will continue.”