Our Latino Student Union (LSU) leaders pose together in Mary's Way.
Hispanic Heritage Month began last Thursday and is celebrated until October 15. This month, we celebrate people with Latino/Latina/Latinx/Hispanic heritage as well as acknowledge the anniversary of independence for several Spanish-speaking countries. On September 15, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Costa Rica celebrate their anniversary of independence. Mexico celebrates its anniversary of independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18.
The history of this month-long celebration dates back to September 17, 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Hispanic Heritage Week bill into law, formally instating that week as "National Hispanic Heritage Week." That week became a month in 1988 – a historic moment in the effort to further appreciate, acknowledge, and celebrate Hispanic cultural identity.
The 2022 theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is "Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation." Embracing this theme, Jesuit High School not only celebrates its students who identify as Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx, but also focuses on encouraging inclusivity in our school, representing all voices, and building stronger communities – efforts that will last long after these 30 days.
The Latino Student Union (LSU) at Jesuit is one such group already doing this important work. We spoke with our LSU student leaders about what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them:
"For me, Hispanic Heritage Month represents the special recognition that Latinos/as/x receive during the middle of September and halfway through October. It's a month where we have an opportunity to teach others about our rich cultures. It's important to me because the first two days mark the days of independence of many Spanish-speaking countries, although people usually think that's what Cinco De Mayo is for, which it isn't. In Mexico, we have an event called El Grito where the president says things that we are thankful for. At the end of each thing he says, the public yells, 'Viva!' ('Live!')." – Luis Torres-Hernandez '24
"Hispanic Heritage Month to me means celebrating our heritage, culture, history and all of our achievements we have contributed not only to the United States but also to the whole world. Hispanic Heritage month is a time to celebrate and recognize how much our culture has shaped and influenced us today, and to break down the stereotypes that we are often placed in. For me, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is important because we are recognizing how much we do for the world. It reminds us that we have a voice, that we are the future as well." – Lizbeth Lopez '23
"Hispanic Heritage Month is important to me because it's a time for others to learn about the different Hispanic cultures at Jesuit, and it brings people together." – Brayan Hernandez Pulido '23
"Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for us to share our culture and traditions with everyone else. This month is important to me because I get to express my culture with everyone else." – Lino Cadeza Martinez '23
"To me this month means to commemorate and recognize historical events of the Hispanic and Latin community and celebrate milestones. Celebrating these events is important because they took a lot of sacrifice in order to achieve the desired outcome and those sacrifices need to be remembered so we can recognize how far we have come as a community." – Lui Carrion '25