Cove Junior High students celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month | Herald of Copperas Cove

“I’m part Colombian and I always love learning where I’m from and about my Hispanic roots,” Gaines said.

Student-created pinatas hang from the ceiling waiting to be opened to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

“We do different activities with our students, including the Pinata project,” said Perez Rodriguez. “They put a lot of effort into making them unique with just two sheets of cardboard, cardstock, construction paper, tissue paper and a few craft accessories to build them using their imagination, creativity and skill. teamwork.”

Pinatas have been created in the shape of tacos, peppers, cacti, watermelon, donkeys, pizza slices, day of the dead skulls, ice cream cones, leaves and even a minion .

The students also selected famous Hispanic people to research and give public presentations about while speaking only in Spanish to the class.

“It’s important to learn about Hispanic culture and heritage as well as the language to be more socially aware,” said student Gracelyn Newton. “Living in America, there are people from all cultures and religions. Thus, to learn more about the lives and traditions of others, it gives you insight into their world.

Professional boxer Oscar De La Hoya; Hispanic astronaut Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez; Texas Supreme Court Justice Alberto Gonzales; Arturo Moreno, the first Mexican-American to own a major American sports team; actress Cameron Diaz; musician Carlos Santana; actor Edward James Olmos; and dozens of other famous Hispanics have been selected by the students and their photos are displayed in the hallway to create a Hispanic Wall.

“It’s good to learn more about Hispanics because you can understand some of the things they’ve been through or done,” said student Elizabeth Rivera.

It’s not just CCJHS Spanish classes that learn about Hispanic heritage every Friday from September 15 to October 15. Students also participated in cultural dress-up days each Friday, learning new Spanish words and listening to a variety of Spanish music tracks during morning announcements.

Spanish teachers extend Spanish culture beyond the classroom by creating an after-school Spanish club.

“I love seeing the enthusiasm of the students and the expressions of understanding of the Spanish language,” said Spanish teacher Nellie Perez, who is planning the school’s second quinceañera scheduled for April.