Maya McFadden Photo
Wilbur Cross' Hispanic heritage panel Wednesday.
What do a retired educator, the city school district’s superintendent, an information technology director, a nonprofit program manager, a former New York City Councilman, and a social justice activist all have in common?
For one, they all love their Hispanic heritage.
They also all visited Wilbur Cross High School Wednesday morning.
Over 100 Cross students listened to the advice and experiences of those six panelists for the school’s Hispanic Heritage Month panel Wednesday morning.
The event was one of many ways that Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated at the public high school at 181 Mitchell Dr. in East Rock. Hispanic students make up 65 percent of Wilbur Cross’s student body this year.
Cross Principal Matt Brown described the Wednesday celebration as an inspiring session for students to learn from Hispanic role models who shared experiences with language, culture, and assimilation. This is the second year the school has hosted a panel of guests for Hispanic Heritage Month.
The panel included former New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) educator Miriam Camacho, NHPS IT Director Gilda Herrera, President of the Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY (Western New York) Casimiro D. Rodriguez Sr., New Haven Promise’s Jorgieliz Casanova, NHPS Supt. Madeline Negrón, and former New York City Councilman and New York State Rep. Adam Clayton Powell IV.
The panel was held in the school’s auditorium. The panelists sat with a backdrop reading “Todos somos, somos uno,” meaning: “We are all, we are one.”
Board of Education student representative John Carlos Serana Musser moderated Wednesday’s panel, sharing questions provided by his AP Spanish Culture & Language class.
Wednesday's audience who opted to attend the panel.
The panelists answered questions ranging from “What unites the Latino community?” to “What motivates you to keep striving for success?”
To the first question, the panelists listed off answers like values, strong family bonds, food, migration challenges, pride, strong determination to serve a community, hospitality, and a commitment to respect.
In response to what motivates them, Powell said “YOLO,” meaning “you only live once.” He advised the students to remember that “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift which is why it’s called the present.”
Rodriguez said his ten grandchildren motivate him to “make it better for them.”
Negrón added that NHPS students motivate her everyday along with the people throughout her life that “told me I couldn’t do it.”
When asked about the challenges for the Latinx community, Camacho said that a challenge she faced first hand was having to prove “we can and we’re capable.” She said throughout her life her performance has been questioned and she’s been undermined because she is Hispanic.
Casimiro D. Rodriguez, Sr.
Madeline Negrón.
Another question asked of the panel was how does speaking Spanish affect your identity and how you connect to your culture?
Negrón shared that speaking her first language helps her to relate to people with similar upbringings. When she speaks Spanish she said she feels it helps her to bring her whole self to another person.
Rodriguez said “speaking Spanish is a part of who I am.”
Herrera, who is a Cross alum, recalled growing up understanding Spanish but not often speaking it. That was until her high school friend group told her speaking Spanish is a part of her Puerto Rican identity. She practiced by reading a newspaper with her friends at lunch everyday.
Powell said speaking Spanish allows you to be closer to people.
Camacho described Spanish as a beautiful language to be proud of.
Casanova added that language is a skill and opens up your opportunities to connect with people.
Casimiro D. Rodriguez, Sr., Madeline Negrón, Jorgieliz Casanova, Miriam Camacho, Gilda Herrera, and Adam Clayton Powell IV.
In the panel’s closing remarks the guests offered the following advice to the students: don’t be afraid to ask for help, to get in the habit now of being strategic, chase your dreams, and be yourself unapologetically.
Wednesday’s panel was put together with the help of Cross staff and students Cora Muñoz, Elizabeth Pabon, José Camacho, Melody Troxler, Diana Feliciano, Ann Brillante, David Lopez-Ibarra, Kristin Mendoza, Liz Demsky, Justo Karell, Anthony Latella, Joandy Ortiz, and Emilio Reales.
Cross will conclude its Hispanic heritage celebration with a Thursday festival for students to enjoy music and activities and connect with community partners like Tortillería Semilla New Haven.
“There’s so much culture to recognize and so many stories to celebrate,” Assistant Principal Cora Muñoz said.
See below for other recent stories about the 2023 – 24 school year at Wilbur Cross.
• AFT Prez Gets Hands-On Education At Cross
• At School Year’s Start, Wilbur Cross Keeps Growing
• Cross Duo Seeks To Repair Disrupted Educations
The Latino/Hispanic community is not a monolith. It is diverse and represents many lands and traditions. Eventually, they will be one group, not unlike Italian Americans who no longer are Italian in any way but some classic cooking. In NH some Italians know exactly where there roots are in Italy but it is fading fast. And that is not necessarily a bad thing. We are Americans and all are welcome to become Americans. Hispanics are among the most patriotic cultural groups, also like Italian Americans. Happy celebrating!