HCCS student of the month awardees pose for a photo during the school wide assembly for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Photo credit: Holyoke Community Charter School
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community Charter School highlighted and celebrated Latin culture and history when hosting a schoolwide workshop event with Roshays Latin Dance in a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Students performed alongside Roshays showcasing rich cultural traditions and artistry within the HCCS community on Sept. 30 in continuing a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The celebration also had some live music and plenty of students proudly showcasing shirts representing their cultures.
Each morning during the month, the school has been highlighting notable Hispanic figures in an effort to educate and inspire students. HCCS is composed of 92% Hispanic students.
HCCS Principal Dr. Sonia Pope told Reminder Publishing the student population is 92% Hispanic and staff is 56%. With the high population of Hispanic students and staff at the school, the celebration of culture in Hispanic Heritage Month has provided an important opportunity to educate students.
“We acknowledge that Hispanic heritage is a time for us to honor the significant contribution of our Hispanic and Latino communities,” said Pope. “Through our student life department, the entire month we have highlighted different people that can represent contributions in art, science, politics and how they have enriched the world.”
Some students shared their takeaways from the day as well.
“During the assembly I felt seeing my flag at the assembly, it made me feel important. And hearing the music that our music club produced made me feel at home,” said seventh grader Siosaia Sikahema.
“I’m happy that HCCS was able to show all the types of cultures. It was great coming together for our assembly and celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at school,” said seventh grader Brianna Ortiz.
HCCS Student Life Coordinator Kayla Collins runs the Student Life Department leading the school lessons and activities during Hispanic Heritage Month.
“It’s a unique department at our school that is run by students for our students,” Collins said. “We are very proud of them and we take pride in highlighting everyone’s culture. We want everyone to feel included and celebrated and feel it’s important for all students to feel appreciated. A lot of this does come from my students and they want to give back to their school.”
