Celebrating Cultural Achievements
Over 60 million Hispano-Americans currently live in the United States making up about 18% of the country’s population. As of 2020, Deerfield Beach city’s Hispanic population is approximately 17,415 people. Leading people to estimate that the fraction of that number attending schools like Deerfield Beach High is more than 5,000.
Hispanic Heritage Month was originally evolved from Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson to commemorate multiple Independence Days in the countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Mexico. It was not until August 17, 1988 President Ronald Reagan signed a bill into law that extended the event into a month-long period.
Plus El Día de la Raza on October 12, Chile’s Independence Day on September 18, and Belize’s Independence Day on September 21. The creation of this month subsequently soon influenced the honoring of Asian/Pacific American Heritage, Gay and Lesbian Pride, National Disability Employment Awareness, and American Indian Heritage Months. .
“A party, cultural foods, and dances with family” said Anna Mujica, a junior at Deerfield Beach High, when asked how she celebrates her Mexican heritage.
From September 15th to October 15th, the nation has the opportunity to recognize the contributions and achievements of the diverse cultures within the Hispanic cultures. Big parties, dinners and dances are just some ways of observing this pride.
Sophomore Roxsana Chavez says, “Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is important because it helps people of other cultures understand ours.”
About 30% of Deerfield Beach High’s population is Hispanic. With a large amount of that population residing at DBHS, it makes it easier for a lot of students to connect with their peers when the community is open about this event.
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