Young students holding a sea of flags representing Latin countries from around the world paraded around the William B. Miller Elementary School. The parade then led to the school auditorium, which hosted an all-grade level program featuring monologues, dance and music, all in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
“We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month each year so that our students and community have the opportunity to learn about important contributions made by the Hispanic and Latino community,” said William B. Miller Principal Sheila Aldredge.
Miller’s entire student body piled into the school’s auditorium for the event, where they were joined by parents to cheer on and observe performances from Miller students. The annual event has taken place since prior to Aldredge’s decade-long leadership at the campus.
Students spent three weeks preparing for their class performances, including crafting some of the colorful cultural garb students wore onstage. According to Aldredge, each grade level or section was assigned a country. Students then learn about their assigned country’s history, influential figures, culture and struggles. Students then compare and contrast differences between their culture and history to their assigned country.
During that three-week time period, Aldredge said students get to read and study about the events that led to the independence of different countries. Aldredge said she hopes the projects allow students to associate what they discover through these projects with the freedoms people share in the United States.
