National Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 – October 15

Each year, from September 15 to October 15, APS celebrates the contributions that Hispanic / Latino Americans have made to our nation, and especially to Arlington and our schools, over the years. We also take this time to recognize the trailblazing individuals who fought for progress and equity for their communities. National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. (Background Information)

The 2023 theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is “Healthy and Prosperous Communities“.

VIDEOS:

Watch the video in English

On Thurs., Oct. 12 at 7 p.m., the Arlington School Board will recognize the 2023 Latino high school student leaders chosen by their principals.

2023 Latino Student Honorees

The School Board is proud to recognize the 2023 Latino high school students chosen by their principals for their character, leadership and outstanding successes in school and life.

Jamy Merida Cortez – H-B Woodlawn

Dafnee Marquez Padilla – Arlington Career Center

Maite Gutierrez Rodriguez – Yorktown High School

Amy Murcia Teodosio – Langston High School Continuation

Deivi Martinez-González – Washington-Liberty High School

Idalia Villatoro Molina – Arlington Community High School

Alexa LaRue – Eunice Kennedy Shriver Program

Natalie Portillo Torres – Wakefield High School

More Student Leader photos will be added as they become available

Background

This celebration began in 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson first issued a proclamation to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Week. (Learn More) Later, Congress passed a bill to extend the celebration to last an entire month, which was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, and National Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated every year since 1989. The dates for Hispanic Heritage Month were chosen to coincide with the Independence Day celebrations of many Latin American nations — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua — that declared their independence from Spain on September 15, 1821. Chile, Mexico, and Belize also each have their own Independence Day celebrations on days throughout the month as well.