Hispanic Heritage Assembly

October is the month that Hispanics celebrate their culture. It is an opportunity for Hispanics to enjoy what being Hispanic means to them. For the first year, T.C. Williams had a special assembly for Latinos, and the whole school to celebrate Latino culture. All Hispanics students went to the auditorium during last period to celebrate with special guests. For many, Hispanic Heritage month might not mean anything, but for Hispanic students it is very meaningful. The ceremony meant a lot to many Hispanic students and some of the staff members. Many of those who went it was as like being at home.

The purpose of doing these kinds of celebrations is to continue culture traditions, and to make students feel like they are a significant part of the school. There were many special guests in the assembly, such as the “Hispanic Heroes,” a group of Latinos, T.C. graduates who came to celebrate with the students. This group of people came to talk to tell the kids how hard it was for them when they were high school students. They also talked about the importance of graduating from high school going to college and getting a good education. One of these speakers was Cindy Benavidez. Benavidez works for the Governor of Virginia as the Latino liaison. Benavidez talked about how hard she worked to get to where she is now. Benavidez’s parents were immigrants form Honduras. Benavidez graduated form high school and got a full scholarship to the University of Virginia. Benavidez told the kids how a college degree has enable her to help the Latino community. The most important advice that Benavidez gave the students was “to never stop dreaming, and dream high.”   Benavidez told the students that as a Latina she had many difficult times in her life because of her identity. “Never give up,” said Benavidez.

One of the people credited to have organized this assembly is Guadalupe Sylva. Sylva is the parent resource coordinator here at T.C. “It was a big deal for me to have this assembly,” said Sylva. Sylva thinks that this one of the most important things that the school has done for Hispanic students. “This is the first year that we have been able to have this kind of events here at T.C.,” said Sylva “Having this assembly here at T.C. Williams makes me feel like at home, with all the students who want to do better but feel as if they do not belong,” said Sylva. Many of the students feel as if they now truly belong at T.C. Before this assembly took place, many of the students were thinking of dropping out. For many of the students this was a big opportunity to see that they are not the only ones who are going to have obstacles that they have to overcome. It also made the students feel that not because they area minority, it will not hold them form going to college. After the assembly was over many of the students were happy to see that the school does care about each individual students that comes here. It was a big opportunity for all the students to see Latinos just like them be successful and have a good job helping their own community. Hispanic Heritage was overall a success the first year Sylva hopes to have every year form now on.