Schools
LT’s National Hispanic Institute starts new tradition
The event was designed to share Hispanic culture with one another through experiences and struggles, song, dance and food.
President of the Lyons Township High School Chapter of the National Hispanic Institute (NHI) senior Alicia Camuy, of Brookfield, played a major role in planning Noche Navidena, or Night of Christmas, for more than 60 LT students, staff, and family for an evening of fun, educational development and interpersonal bonding.
The event was designed to share Hispanic culture with one another through experiences and struggles, song, dance and food. Culinary dishes of Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guatemala and Honduras were represented at the melting pot event, along with several other ethnicities/nationalities. Included on the menu were roasted pork shoulder called pernil, Mexican apple cider called ponche, chick peas with rice called arroz con gandules, and dozens of Mexican cookies. Guests were entertained with parranda, a Puerto Rican tradition similar to Christmas caroling.
Two guest speakers, including LT’s own Hispanic liaison Jorge Sanchez, imparted inspirational messages about overcoming issues together, while Aiza Velez, a self-made marketing businesswoman, delivered a message of having faith in your community and people.
NHI helps prepare students to be good orators, leaders, and mentors. The club exposes members to many leadership opportunities and gives students the chance to experience college life in the summer months. Camuy has been a part of nine summer trips and has worked as a staffer, judging debates, leading discussions, and working alongside college leaders.
Camuy is hoping to study behavioral neurology science and become a neurologist who helps heal the brain in a holistic way. She also intends to be a resource for her community, helping those in need. She currently has six full-ride offers for colleges across the country, including schools in two in Texas, two in Florida, Tennessee, and Connecticut.
Camuy said, “I have total faith in this club's ability to make this communal gathering a long-standing tradition of unity between the club, the school and the community.
