Celebrating Culture: Hispanic Heritage Month at St. Lucie West Centennial High School

As Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off, Centennial students share their thoughts on what this special celebration means to them. From September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month honors the rich history, diverse cultures, and significant contributions of Hispanic and Latino individuals across the United States. At our school, students from different backgrounds reflect on the importance of their heritage and the impact it has on their daily lives.

For senior Jessica Dorvil, Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to highlight the achievements of the Hispanic community. "It means to celebrate all the Hispanic people who have really impacted our lives and bettered the lives of Hispanics," she explains. Jessica’s Dominican roots are deeply embedded in her day-to-day experiences, especially at home. "Our culture, you know, it's everywhere within my home, on our walls to our food."

Rihanna Garcia, another senior, shares a similar sentiment. To her, Hispanic Heritage Month is about recognizing the diversity within the Hispanic community itself. "My culture and every other similar culture gets celebrated, and I think that's really important in a country that's so diverse," says Rihanna, who is Belizean. She finds joy in observing how her heritage differs from other Hispanic cultures, and she balances her identity as both a Belizean and an American. "My parents are directly from Belize, so we live differently, we eat differently, we act differently. It’s a balance of that Florida life and that Belizean life."

Junior Angelo Gonzalez also finds that Hispanic Heritage Month brings people together. "All these people come together, and they have a lot of fun... representing themselves as a part of a family," he shares. For Angelo, spending time with his family is an essential part of staying connected to his Colombian heritage. He values the trips he takes every year to Colombia, saying, "I go to Colombia every year to see my family and, you know, I love them and the opportunity to see them." These moments are precious to him, especially since he only gets to visit them once a year.

As these students reflect on their experiences, one thing becomes clear: Hispanic Heritage Month is not just about honoring the past, but about embracing identity in the present. It’s a time to celebrate where they come from, strengthen their ties to their culture, and share their unique stories with the world. At St. Lucie West Centennial High School, Hispanic Heritage Month serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural diversity and inclusion. It’s a time to celebrate, to reflect, and to appreciate the unique experiences that each student brings to our community