When Eddy R. brought the idea of a Spanish spelling bee to Mount Auburn STEAM Academy, he wasn’t only thinking about competitions.
He was thinking about pride.
“It makes me feel good when I hear people speaking Spanish at school,” Eddy, a fifth grader, said. “It makes us feel like we fit in.”
For him, language is more than communication; it’s connection.
When students feel proud of their culture, they are more confident in school and in life, he said.
“If they don’t fit in, they’re not going to study, and they’re going to give up. But if they’re supported, they’re not going to give up,” Eddy said.
That sense of belonging is at the heart of Mount Auburn’s Spanish spelling bee, an idea sparked by his classmates. Held entirely in Spanish, the event became a symbol of cultural pride.
With 90% of the student body identifying as Hispanic, the school is home to families who bring rich traditions, stories, and languages with them.
“There’s a heavy Hispanic culture in our school, so to be able to tie it to the activities we already have was rewarding,” said Ingrid Ramirez De La Rosa, a third-grade dual language teacher.
Hosting an academic event in Spanish wasn’t just about spelling; it was about celebrating who students are.
“The students felt completely at home,” said Shelby Holt, assistant principal. “They didn’t have to translate in their minds.”
The pride students carried into the bee extended beyond the stage. They studied together, encouraged one another, and cheered for their peers.
“Academics can be intimidating, especially if you’re new to English,” Holt said. “It can be overwhelming and make a student feel like they don’t have a place.”
For Ramirez De La Rosa, watching students shine in their own language was powerful.
“Being able to feel proud of themselves—whether or not they won—gave them a sense of accomplishment,” she said.
What made the event especially meaningful was that it came from the students themselves. By pitching the idea, Eddy and his classmates showed their voices matter.
Now, younger students who watched last year’s bee are already excited for their chance to step onto the stage. What started as an idea grew into a tradition that Mount Auburn plans to continue.
As Dallas ISD celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, the Spanish spelling bee stands as more than a competition. It’s a reminder that honoring culture empowers students to dream bigger.
“Allowing students to show their culture in education proves they can do a lot with their own culture and not fit into a mold,” Ramirez Da La Rosa said.
For Eddy, the most meaningful part is simple: watching his classmates feel proud of who they are and where they come from.
