Oak Forest HS Students Celebrate Mexican Independence Day

Students in the Oak Forest High School Hispanic Club solemly walked into the IMC in Honor Guard formation with the Mexican Flag. Oak Forest students Ortensia Ontiveros held the flag and Paola Delgadillo led “La Escolta,” which is the presentation of the Mexican flag using traditional words. This is all a part of the Oak Forest High School joint Hispanic Club presentation to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. Students in world language and ELL classes participated in the presentation.

In the program, various heroes of the Mexican Independence movement were introduced like Padre Hidalgo, who fought for independence from Spain, and Padre Morelos, who took up the fight after Padre Hidalgo was killed. Other heroes like Josefa Ortiz, who held rebellion meetings at her house, were also honored. Students explained the various symbols of the Mexican flag, which is an eagle perched on top of a prickly pear cactus plant with a snake in its mouth.Oak Forest High School student Lesly Palafox danced the ballet folklorio in a brightly patterned traditional dress. Afterwards, Jose Rios sang a Mexican song with Paola Delgadillo accompanying him on guitar. Students then broke up into several different activities, sponsored by the Oak Forest High School International Club. Some students created Ojos de Dios, a traditional craft designed to protect a room, others danced traditional dances, some students colored celebratory signs, and others reviewed Mexican history on Kahoot, a technology quiz program. Oak Forest High School world language teacher Danica Mathis lead the presentation, while teachers Maria Arellano, Mike Blakley, John Stevens, and Suzanne Lappe helped out with the activities. Maureen Miller is the District #228 World Language Supervisor.

In the photo, Oak Forest High School Senior Kieran Christianson enjoys creating an Ojo de Dios, one of the activites students could chose after learning about Mexican Independence Day. The presentation and activity were a joint venture of the OFHS Hispanic Club and the OFHS International Club.