Every October, the National Spanish Honor Society hosts a festival at Florida High in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrating and sharing the culture and traditions of Latin American countries. 

     The festival consists of lively Spanish music, booths featuring colorful posters with interesting facts, and traditional foods from many Latin American countries for everyone to taste.

     “This festival helps open up people’s eyes to experience new cultures,” Spanish teacher Yoarne Sumner said. 

     By sharing food, music and information, the organizers hope to teach others about the diversity of Latin American cultures and inspire appreciation and respect for cultures beyond their own.

     “I hope it teaches people that every Latin American country has its own unique culture and beauty,” sophomore Joselin Hernandez said.

     Students wore their traditional quinceñera dresses and performed during the event. These dresses are an important tradition in many Latin American cultures that show the beauty of celebrating a girl’s fifteenth birthday. 

     “The quinceñera dresses symbolize growing up into an adult and having society embrace them,” Spanish teacher Elena Villagrana said.

     The event featured 10 out of the 20 Latin American countries. In the future, the National Spanish Honor Society would love to expand its Hispanic Heritage Month Festival to include even more Latin American countries.

     “I would like to add and spread it through all 20 Hispanic countries, not just 10,” Sumner said.

     This event is more than just a celebration; it is a chance to learn about the history of these countries and feel more connected to them. It encourages curiosity and shows how exploring these traditions and cultures can unite people.

     “It’s important to acknowledge the history of these countries and the diversity in each one of them,” Sumner said.