Sierra Canyon joyfully celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, bringing our community together to honor Spanish-speaking countries' rich and vibrant cultures.
This month-long celebration, from September 15 to October 15, recognizes the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities in the United States. Our community engaged in activities that brought these rich traditions to life, from the sounds of Nicaragua and Venezuela to the tastes of Mexico.
The festivities began on the Lower Campus with an assembly featuring our Lower Campus choir, directed by Ms. Leslie Gonzalez, performing songs in Spanish. Sra. Claudia Zurek then showcased 3rd–6th Grade students in an exciting Spanish Spelling Bee. The assembly ended with professional freestyle soccer players Kevin Medina and Alex Mendoza, who captivated our Trailblazers with incredible skills, showcasing their talents in dribbling and balancing.
To celebrate these vibrant cultures, the Malinovitz Family (Jagger '33, Zuma '35, Fox '37) contributed by creating a meaningful taste of Nicaragua for the Lower Campus, who enjoyed gallo pinto while listening to marimba music. The Gonzalez Family (Alonzo '26) also provided two generous lunches for both campuses, featuring delicious cuisine from Jalisco and Michoacán, regions in Mexico.
In a show of collaboration, Upper Campus students enjoyed visiting Pre-Kindergarten through 2nd Grade classes to read books celebrating Latin culture. Through this engagement, students formed personal connections to the literature, enhancing their understanding of diverse cultural backgrounds. When asked about families of Hispanic or Latinx backgrounds, Gavin H. '36 eagerly raised his hand, sharing with pride that his mother is from Honduras.
At two Upper Campus assemblies, professional actors gave inspiring presentations, one for Grades 6-8 and the other for 9-12, discussing their reflections on Hispanic heritage in their craft and the importance of the creative arts in personal expression. An additional assembly, organized by Latinos Unidos and its president, Alexis O. '26, featured a panel discussion with Hispanic professionals: Cristhy Galvez, a math teacher at Sierra Canyon; Dr. Christian Ochoa, a surgeon; Nyla McDaniel, a music industry executive; and Otto Vargas, a real estate specialist. They shared insights into their personal and professional experiences, offering students perspectives on the opportunities and challenges they have faced as Hispanic professionals.
Music played a vital role in our celebrations, with performances resonating across both campuses. A lively Mariachi band filled the air with traditional melodies, inviting everyone to dance. The band OMG (Oye Mi Gaita) captivated Lower Campus students with energetic Venezuelan folk music, while Sr. Ribeiro's Spanish III class enchanted audiences with their rendition of "Quizás" by Enrique Iglesias.
Phoenix D. '27 captured the month's spirit: "Providing the view of other cultures opens our minds to all the unique and different ways people experience life."
A very special thank you to Latinos Unidos, Sr. Ribiero's Spanish III chorus, and Patty Gonzales and Vallarta Market. As always, we thank the DEI Cultural Celebrations Committee led by Sitapa Downing (Phoenix, Evelyn '30), Michelle Malinovitz, and Renee Zeff (Liam '30, Dylan '32) for their leadership and organization of activities and volunteers.
