Students and teachers of Dr. L. Whigham Elementary School in Cutler Bay concluded Hispanic Heritage Month on Wednesday, Oct. 30, with a special celebration involving a variety of performing arts and activities.
According to teacher Luis Saenz, chair of the school’s Hispanic Heritage Committee, students from the kindergarten level up to fifth graders took part in the event.
“Students were reading, studying, and learning about all Hispanic cultures, people and events they see and relate to in their daily lives here in Cutler Bay,” Saenz said. “To culminate this Hispanic Heritage Celebration, the school held a concert in our main courtyard featuring some of our students singing, dancing, or performing on instruments and closing it with a long parade of students wearing colorful traditional outfits from their countries of origin as they happily waved their hands to a crowd of spectators made up of students, parents, teachers, and administrators.”
As part of the program celebrating the Hispanic origins of many South Florida residents, the third and fifth grade students did a Spanish dance. The fourth graders performed a song using recorders (flutelike instruments) and bells. All students dressed in their native attire for the huge parade in the courtyard.
Because parents also were invited to attend the event that brought the monthlong observance to a close, in some cases even grandparents took part, as in the case of Carol Sullivan, a grandmother and Cutler Bay resident.
“I was thrilled to see my granddaughter learn so much about the Hispanic culture through song, dance, and costume,” said Sullivan. “She was part of a parade. I could tell all the hard work the teachers and students put forth to make this a huge success.”
School principal Cynara Suarez said she was very pleased with the way the event turned out after all the effort that had been put into it.
“A truly phenomenal Hispanic Heritage Celebration,” Suarez said. “This was the culmination of time, preparation and high expectations. I am so proud of the work of the teachers, parents and students at Dr. Edward L. Whigham Elementary.”
