ELYRIA, Ohio — While Hispanic Heritage Month comes to an end on Oct. 15, Westwood Middle School in Elyria is making sure the lessons its students learn will leave a lasting impact with a special celebration.
It's Michelle Nimene's first year on the job as Assistant Principal at Westwood Middle School. She's currently the school's only Latin administrator.
"Building that positive culture is what our district is all about. It's our initiative this year and what we're all about," Nimene said.
Within the last fiscal year, the school has welcomed up to 30% more Latin and Hispanic students. Out of the 500 students enrolled, a fifth of the student population is Hispanic. The growth has made taking on the new role even more meaningful for Niemene. And this year's first annual "Fiesta Day" was all her idea.
"We've brought in community leaders. People that will teach dance, Zumba, pastelitos, rice and beans and snow cones. Just stuff that they're familiar with a little bit of their home life into the school." Niemene added, "We find out we have a lot more in common than what's different. We all like to eat good food. We all like to dance. You may drop a beat and we might salsa a little differently, but we all like to enjoy this and that's what kids like."
At Westwood Middle School, representation matters.
"It's really a chance for our Hispanic kids to celebrate their culture and connect with where they come. It's also really important for our kids that are not Hispanic because they also learn about Hispanic culture and influential Hispanic men and women that have made a difference in our world."
A celebration of all the things that bring us together from food and music to dance, art and history.
Hispanic or not, Niemene says, this fiesta teaches students that taking pride in culture should always be celebrated.
"What's important about connecting with our students, no matter their culture has to be more than a celebration one time a year. It has to be a part of culture."
