The popular school-wide celebration, Hispanic Heritage, is preparing to showcase at OCSA.
The Hispanic Heritage celebration, funded by Sociedad Honoranica Hispanica (Spanish Honors Society) and sponsored by Spanish teacher, Lizette Marrero, is a greatly anticipated event by the student body and community alike. Frequent Hispanic Heritage attendee, Laura Sandoval, an eleventh grade creative writer, stated “Hispanic Heritage is a place the community can get together to celebrate their heritage. I’m very excited to see what they have this year because they always impress me every year. The after party is always something to look forward to.”
Set to perform on October 20, 2023, at 6:30 PM, students have been hard at work to display this representation of Hispanic culture. The celebration has two parts: the performance, which will take place in the theatre, and the after party, which will take place in the Expo Hall. Everyone is invited to attend the performance and the after party, both OCSA and non-OCSA students.
This year’s event will be different from last years, considering that the damage left by Hurricane Ian flooded the entire theater. The solution was to hold both the performance and the after party in the expo hall, causing the building to reach maximum capacity. This year, however, the performance will be held in the theater, allowing seating for about 2,000 people.
The Sociedad Honoranica Hispanica began preparations in May of 2023. They began to discuss the layout for the Hispanic Heritage shirt design and the theme of the event. The theme this year revolves around the phrase “La Vida Es Un Carnaval,” which translates to “life is a carnival.” In August, they began to receive proposals for the performances, which were also evaluated by OCSA’s different department directors. The Sociedad partnered up with Latinos in Action as they began to prepare for the Hispanic Heritage spirit week, which takes place the week leading up to the event.
At the after party there will be a DJ, a dance floor, and food being served. The price for entry will be $10. Normally every year, the Sociedad prepares several products to be sold during the after party. This year, they will be selling tote bags, Hispanic Heritage T-shirts ($15) and food ($5).
Many of OCSA’s departments will be involved with the performance. Band and Jazz are said to be playing mambo and Afro-Cuban inspired songs. There will be traditional dances, family performances, and an OCSA alumni, Linette Perez, coming to sing. 11th grade creative writer Maria Segovia said that she has been practicing her traditional Venezuelan dance with Ms. Gonzalez, another one of OCSA’s Spanish teachers. Segovia will also be performing her own original poem along with it. “I always enjoy being able to use my art and culture combined to share it with others,” stated Segovia.
Be sure to come join the fun with ‘”La Carnaval” on October 20 at 6:30 PM. We hope to see you there!
