Hispanic Heritage Takes Center Stage At Career High Fest

Maya McFadden photos

Erika Zelocuatecatl: "When we get together as diverse as we are, we come as a united chorus."

Maya McFadden Photo

Career students perform "Latino Moves" at Friday's fest.

The sounds of salsa, bachata and merengue filled Hill Regional Career High School alongside a host of Spanish-language pride as staff and students celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month.

That event took place Friday afternoon in the auditorium of the Legion Avenue public high school. The celebration paid tribute to dozens of Spanish speaking countries and local Hispanic trailblazers while partying to music by Marc Anthony and Vicente Fernández.

The celebratory pep-rally was hosted during the final hour of the school day. The school’s four Spanish teachers and the World Languages Department partnered to organize the event. 

The Friday celebration was emceed by students Erika Zelocuatecatl and Belen Meses. 

Zelocuatecatl described Hispanic culture as delicious home cooked food, beautiful music that inspires us to dance and the ability to laugh no matter how hard and difficult our life can get.”

When we get together as diverse as we are, we come as a united chorus. We are resilient, funny, caring, and hardworking and love our families above all else,” Zelocuatecatl said. 

Students danced, sang, and presented research to celebrate Hispanic heritage. 

Career Principal Shawn True called for a moment of silence during the start of the celebration for the school’s late Spanish teacher Ms. Gonzales, who passed away two years ago.

The Hispanic heritage celebration was paused for the past three years due to the Covid pandemic. 

Jada Guerrero dances while student choir performs.

Senior Jada Guerrero.

Under a backdrop of over dozens of flags from Spanish-speaking countries, Career’s student choir performed the Star-Spangled Banner and Vivir Mi Vida.” 

Senior Jada Guerrero took center stage during the group singing to show off a few dance moves and liven up the crowd. Students jumped out of their seats in celebration and danced along with Guerrero. 

Throughout the celebration Guerrero flaunted a Dominican flag to represent her father’s heritage. She also celebrated her mother’s Puerto Rican heritage. 

It was amazing to see everyone come together as one,” she reflected after the school day. Sometimes all we see is the Hispanic and Black community having our differences, but that was gone today. We were united as a family.”

Students during "Latino Moves" performance.

In a video message, Mayor Justin Elicker reminded students that New Haven is great because of its diversity. 

During a virtual presentation of flags, students Mariana De La Cruz and Julianna Dalmacio shared facts about 21 Spanish-speaking countries. As the countries’ flags appeared on the screen students cheered in excitement for their families’ home countries. The loudest of cheers to rumble through the auditorium were for Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. 

A musical performance called Latino Moves” also brought students to their feet and dancing. The performance was by students Jeralday Reyes, Helen Lopez, John Tiacomulco, Alexis Diaz, Alvin Lucero, Kenny Hernandez, Bryan Rodriguez, Diana Diaz, Jaime Ramirez, and Emily Samaniego. 

"Don't Forget Where You Come From"

Honorees Yesenia Rivera, Elmer Rivera Bello, and Kica Matos.

At the Friday celebration the school community presented three You Make A Difference” awards to a trio of local community leaders. 

The awardees included: Board of Education President Yesenia Rivera, President of the Casa Otonal Housing Corporation Elmer Rivera Bello, and immigrant and racial justice advocate Kica Matos. Rivera and Rivera Bello are Career High School alumni. 

During their brief speeches the awardees recalled their roots and childhood memories living in their home countries, their parents’ migration to the U.S in pursuit of the American dream, and their years of dedicated activism. 

Wherever your own family is from, I hope you feel the pride of the heritage in much the same way that I do,” Rivera said. Don’t forget where you come from. Your parents, your abuelita. It is the essence of who you are and when you’re older you’ll find comfort in that.” 

As you all move forward in your journey of life remember to never succumb to and always challenge negative stereotypes with positivity,” Rivera Bello said. Celebrate your unique culture while embracing the uniqueness of other cultures. Remember El pueblo unido jamás será vencido.’ ”

I wish that all of you will follow your calling no matter what it is. Be proud of who you are. Remember that you have only one life,” Matos said. Whatever you do make your life have meaning. Never ever ever turn you back on your community. And always always always be on the right side of justice.” 

Students light up auditorium for Abraham Perez Orozco's performance.

For the final musical performance of the celebration sophmore Abraham Perez Orozco sang a rendition of Volver, Volver” by Vincente Fernandez. 

Students turned on their phone flashlights and waved them along with Perez Orozco’s singing. 

Perez Orozco said only in recent years has he begun loving his Mexican heritage. I feel so grateful that I got so much love here. It made me proud of who I am,” he said. 

Nyleve Caliz and Ro’Jae Sims.

Seniors Ro’Jae Sims and Nyleve Caliz both expressed a sense of self pride after the Friday celebration. 

It shows they appreciate their students,” Sims said. 

It brings everyone together,” Caliz said. 

Sims added that the celebration helped her and her peers to release a lot of energy and stress by knowing you fit in somewhere.” 

Students ended the day by dancing together as they waited for their school buses to arrive. 

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