Hispanic Heritage Week, first celebrated in the United States in 1968, has evolved into a month-long tribute that highlights the enduring impact of Hispanic culture on our society. This celebration is not just a nod to history; it’s a vibrant recognition of the contributions, stories, and traditions that enrich our communities today.
Several organizations incorporate various cultures and National Spanish Honor Society, or Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica (SHH), is no exception.
“In the National Spanish Honor Society, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through volunteerism and good food,” Shreenidhi Kunta, Co-President of National Spanish Honor Society, said. “Every year, we organize a treat sale, selling Spanish snacks from all over the world to raise money for a senior scholarship. This event has brought the community together in a beautiful way, as everyone can enjoy delicious food while learning about new cultures.”
It is organizations like this that introduce students to a wider view of these different cultures. Additionally, she explained how holding a leadership position in SHH has impacted her knowledge about Hispanic culture.
“Being the Co-President of National Spanish Honor Society has broadened my view to the many distinct practices and traditions of Hispanic culture,” Kunta said. “I am so grateful to serve an organization that is so culturally-rich and interesting to learn about!”
Spanish Honor Society Co-President Alexa Cordero dives deep into how Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of Hispanic culture and how it enriches people’s cultural knowledge.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is significant to me because it’s a chance to educate people about Hispanic culture and inspire an excitement from others to learn about new and different cultures,” Cordero said. “The societal pressure to conform to the norm is so depressing when we are blessed to live in a country that is a melting pot that welcomes and embraces cultural differences.”
Paola Hamann, a Spanish teacher at LTHS, incorporates Hispanic culture into her lesson plans in unique ways. Rather than celebrating the month as an individual, she used this month to showcase distinct accomplishments people have made.
“There are brilliant minds out there,” Hamann said. “I want people to learn how people use their cultural background to make significant contributions to the world.”
Spanish Honor Society is a valuable way students can develop what they have learned in their Spanish classes and apply it to the real world.
“SHH wants to inspire a love for traveling the world, learning new languages, and experiencing new places and culture because you can reap some amazing cultural and interpersonal knowledge from these experiences and gain a new perspective on the world we live in and the people that inhabit it,” Cordero said.
