Each October, Miramonte hosts the annual Latin X Heritage Festival. On Wednesday, Oct. 8, the Wellness Center was packed from 5:30 to 7:00p.m as students, staff, and parents gathered to learn more about the Latin community and culture. There was a Mexican food truck, along with a live band, and inside, the students had booths set up with treats to share. Students were able to sign up for a booth, they were informative and left people learning more.
The festival is a reflection of students’ cultural pride and interest. Organized largely by students with support from leadership, staff, and the Spanish department, students were able to choose a country or culture to represent. The festival gave students a chance to share their roots and for others to learn about and engage with their chosen country or culture. A significant part of the event was the food; guests were able to try homemade dishes while learning about different cultures. Students were able to try dishes such as horchata, cookies, and empanadas, allowing them to try new things. The event allows students to talk about their heritage or display what they have learned in Spanish so far this year. From vibrant colors to interactive games and questions, every table added a unique flavor to the evening.
Live music brought energy for the night, with students watching and dancing along. The music echoed through the Wellness Center, drawing in crowds and creating a joyful communal atmosphere.
There were over 15 booths set up, each centering on history, pride, or identity.“Putting together a booth was so much fun! I hosted a booth with my friends, and that made it ten times more fun,” sophomore Sheena Dhingra said. The booths made it obvious that the festival is about participation; students took ownership and brought Latin culture to life with creativity, care, and enthusiasm. The booths weren’t only for show; they invited guests to learn and interact by asking questions. For many students, the festival wasn’t just about fun and food, it gave a chance to reconnect with family traditions and explore more stories.The event allows students to talk about their heritage or display what they have learned in Spanish so far this year. From vibrant colors to interactive games and questions, every table added a unique flavor to the evening.
Leadership students Cael Suba, sophomore; Cameron Kuhns, sophomore; Avrey Freer, senior; and Isabella Mucha, freshman, all joined together to create a booth. “We collaborated well and decided on a booth that would work for all of us,” Kuhns said. They made a booth called “Music Trivia”, where they played Latin songs, and if you guessed the artist or song correctly, you could get a cookie. This was a fun and interactive way to explore the different genres of Latin music because it was entertaining and introduced students to music they had never heard before. It was a win-win: you leave knowing more about Latin music and with a cookie.
Looking forward, Miramonte hopes to grow the festival and continue to improve it. The goal is to keep growing the festival into an annual Miramonte tradition that brings students and families closer to Latin culture. For many students, the festival wasn’t just about fun and food, it gave a chance to reconnect with family traditions and explore more stories.
As the evening wrapped up, the scent of tacos faded, and Latin beats drifted from the Wellness Center, while students and staff left with full stomachs and a better understanding of the Latin culture. One thing is for sure: with food, dancing, and music, next year’s festival is looking Muy Bien.
