Parkdale Students Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Students in 's Spanish department celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month this week with two days of presentations, food and music.

According to the school's world language chair Carrie Robertson, the students each chose a famous Hispanic American to research and presented their findings to classmates.

From boxers and baseball players, to actors and comedians, students explored the lives of many Hispanics that have changed American culture.

Senior Brittany Walker chose Oscar de la Hoya, a boxer, as her subject because she was familiar with him already.

Walker said it is important to learn about Hispanic culture because they are a large minority group in the America and they deserve some acknowledgement for their contributions to society.

"They deserve a (voice) too," she said. "It also gives us awareness about folks who we didn't know were Hispanic."

Senior Peter Kashapata said he learned more about how many people are of Hispanic background.

"Even though they were born or raised elsewhere," Kashapata said, "they had a huge influence on American culture."

He said he learned about how some struggled due to their socioeconomic backgrounds in other countries, but came here and thrived and made something of themselves.

He also likes learning about the musical influence.

After the presentations, students enjoyed Hispanic snacks and drinks and music.