Godfrey-Lee — Mexico’s Independence Day is a celebratory day at Godfrey Elementary and its building secretary Ms. Tanya’s (Giaimo) favorite spirit day of the school year.
On Sept. 16, the anniversary of a historic battle cry by priest Miguel Hidalgo that launched Mexico’s War of Independence from Spain, students wore red, white, green and other traditional outfits to honor their families and cultures during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 every year and celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Third-grader Yulissa wore a white dress with green and red embroidered flowers to school.
“It’s a dancing dress,” she said. “I’ve been dancing since I was 3, and now I dance with Mexico Mix.”
Another dancer, fifth-grader Camila, wore a black top and skirt ensemble embroidered with lots of colorful flowers, to show her classmates a traditional dance.
“When the music plays, I just start dancing,” she said. “I really like dresses from Mexico for dancing, so when I dance I can show off my culture from my dad’s family,” she said.
Fifth-grader Pedro said his mom gave him his black, multicolored button-up shirt from Chiapas, a southern Mexican state bordering Guatemala.
Godfrey’s Bilingual Success coach Destiney Solis said she works with a lot of newcomers learning English who say they miss their old schools. She said she feels good knowing they can celebrate and feel safe to talk about their culture at their new school.
“Sometimes (students) get shy, but when they see an adult dressing up, they get really excited and open up,” she said.
Solis wore a yellow, floral printed dress and said it sparked several conversations with students about their culture throughout the day.
“It’s about where they come from, it’s their roots,” she said. “I am also Mexican, and it makes me really happy that I can express myself to (my students) too.”
Read more from Godfrey Lee:
• Fifth-graders sound off on first day of school
• High-schoolers organize, host Hispanic Heritage Festival
