By: Ainsley Hall
MARTINSBURG — Martinsburg High School’s Latino Union hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month event Monday evening themed after La Lotería, a classic Hispanic game.
Guests gathered in the school’s cafeteria to play games, try new foods and learn more about other cultures.
Elizabeth Sanchez, Spanish teacher, and Latino Union advisor, was the one who helped the students put this event together. Martinsburg High School hasn’t had a Hispanic Heritage Month event for at least 10 years, and when Sanchez realized this last year, she knew she had to change that. She believes it’s important to have an event where people can celebrate where they come from and share their culture with others.
“Celebrating heritage gives people the opportunity to share their culture and gives others the opportunity to learn a new culture,” Sanchez said. “When you learn more about the world, you become more globally competent and have more opportunities to grow.”
As the Latino Union was organizing its calendar at the beginning of the school year, one of the students suggested creating an event surrounding La Lotería, a Hispanic game similar to bingo. Sanchez thought that would make a great theme for their Hispanic Heritage Month event, so the group started planning.
The group set up several tables focusing on Hispanic cultures from all over the world. Guests got to try authentic food from places like Honduras.
There were also tables, where people could try making Hispanic crafts like Mexican tissue flowers, as well as resources for parents. In the gym, there was a DJ playing traditional Hispanic music and space for people to dance.
Latino Union President Mia Rivera was just one of many students serving food, setting up tables and helping the event run smoothly. Rivera was excited to share her culture with others in the community.
“We get very used to our normal environment and aren’t always open to experiencing new things,” Rivera said. “Through this event, we want to create empathy and open people’s eyes to other cultures.”
This event was made possible through donations, including from the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs. This office is dedicated to serving underserved people throughout the state. The Latino Union hopes to continue this event in the future. Students have plenty of ideas and are excited to continue sharing their culture with others.
“We weren’t able to incorporate all our ideas this time, but it gives me hope for the future,” Rivera said. “As we keep it up, the event will get bigger, and we’ll be able to do more than we did tonight.”