Mendham middle school celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

This year, students at the Mendham Township Middle School celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 in their Spanish classes. The world language department celebrated with students all month long; reading, teaching songs, creating special crafts, and sharing their love of the Spanish language and culture. On Friday October 11, 2019 students visited the library throughout the day to hear MTMS parents and grandparents talk about their Hispanic heritage and immigration experiences. This culminating program allowed students to learn about the significant cultural, political and historical contributions Hispanic and Latino Americans have made to the United States from members of our own school community.

Local politician, Mrs. Amalia Durante shared her experiences of being a first generation immigrant from the Dominican Republic, noting that she is the first person of Dominican heritage to be elected to the Mendham Township Committee. Mrs. Durante also reminded students that while the Dominican Republic is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, it is important to recognize all the landscapes of the country, including the mountains, rivers and cities. Grandparents, Lenor and Oscar Grob also entertained students as they spoke about their lives in Chile and Colombia. Mrs. Grob spoke passionately about the Colombian celebration Carnival and her experience as Carnival Princess in 1958.

Several 8th grade parents presented, including Mrs. Moore, who shared her love of her home country of Colombia, highlighting the many cultural contributions Colombians have made including the work of her favorite author, Gabriel García Márquez. Mr. Nelson Martinez shared a very moving account of his move to the U.S. when he was a young boy, providing a face to the immigrant experience. He urged students to consider the difficulties immigrants face as they leave behind their home and culture and move to unfamiliar places where they do not know the language. Students were particularly interested in his memory of the day he realized he no longer dreamed in Spanish. 8th grader Milagros Lombardo joined her parents as they spoke about her birthplace, Argentina.

Students also sampled delicious Hispanic foods, when Mrs. Abraham shared traditional Ecuadorian empanadas during her presentation on the wonders of the Amazon region. Mrs. Russo and her mother Mrs. Encarnacion Fernandez also graciously provided guava pastries, meat pies and ham croquettes for students to sample as they shared stories of their Cuban and Spanish heritage. The day came to a fun conclusion as Mrs. Correia used her professional talents to teach students Zumba, exercise routines set to Latin dance music such as salsa and merengue.

The staff and students of MTMS would like to thank Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Hollman and Mrs. Samaan for organizing an enriching celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month and all of the presenters who came and shared their experiences.