National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time where we celebrate the great Hispanic lives like Cesar Chavez, Roberto Clemente, Jenifer Lopez, and many others. People of Hispanic descent value their culture, regions, and food like tacos, fajitas, and enchiladas, which have become extremely popular throughout America. People globally have adopted many holidays of Hispanic origin as their own such as Cinco de Mayo and Day of the Dead. Hispanic culture has been a big influence on people today and everything that they believe in and celebrate.
“We must be impatient for change. Let us remember that our voice is a precious gift and we must use it,” claimed Claudia Flores, professor at Chicago Law School.
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Sonia Sotomayor, enjoys expressing what being Hispanic means to her and she embodies the gift that they have received. “The Latina in me is an ember that blazes forever,” said Sotomayor.
At Woodland the Hispanic Heritage is well received by students and teachers. One teacher Loren Luddy commented on this topic.
“Teaching Spanish has definitely taught me about countries that I have never visited,” she stated.
During her time of teaching she has visited many different countries including Spain, Costa Rica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
“In Spain, I love the old city neighborhoods and gran plazas as the social, historical and cultural centers of towns and cities. Also, tortilla española and paélla are two of my favorite foods,” she commented. “Costa Rica’s dedication to social consciousness, ecological preservation and sustainable development are truly impressive. Not to mention the volcanoes, rain and cloud forests, lakes and beautiful beaches as well as the gallo pinto (rice, beans, cilantro pepper and spices) and delicious tropical fruits.”
Because of her extensive travel to different countries she chose Costa Rica as a destination for student trips at Woodland and she hopes to go back in 2023 or 2024.
Luddy’s interest in learning about Hispanic traditions and political history has increased as she really likes Hispanic culture.
“Teaching Spanish has piqued my interest to learn more, especially about their traditions and political history, all of which we could never cover in four years of curriculum.”
