![Freshman Milan Earl and sophomore Lucy Kaplan sit with their grandparents at Archer’s annual Grandparents and Special Friends Day Friday, March 15. The event took place over three 75-minute sessions. “[I hope my grandparents] gain an understanding about what I do, Kaplan said, because I know they ask a lot of questions and can sort of see what I do in school and what the experience is like to be here.](https://archeroracle.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/grandparents-day-option-2-1200x800.jpg)
The Archer community celebrated Hispanic Heritage with music, crafts, educational posters, face-painting and more on Oct. 10 in the courtyard.
Each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the nation celebrates the histories and cultures of American citizens whose ancestors came from Mexico, Spain and Central and South America, according to the National Hispanic Heritage Month website.
September 15 marks the anniversary of the independence for the Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrated their independence on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18.
Archer student Mayra Castaneda ’15 said, “It’s a little tradition for my family to gather together in front of a television and watch a live broadcast from Mexico.”
“Instead of the traditional fireworks that we have here in the United States, Mexico has a tradition that the President will present a little celebration that the whole country is invited to,” she said. “When we see this event as a family, I feel that we become closer and appreciate our heritage even more.”
In the library, Hermanas Unidas, a Hispanic Heritage diversity club at Archer, put on a display of artifacts collected from Archer students to show the culture and diversity of Spanish speaking countries.
When asked why she initially joined Hermanas Unidas, Castaneda commented, “I was going to be able to meet more Hispanic girls that I could possibly relate to. As the years have passed, I’ve come to recognize it as a comfort place.”
Many Central American cultures also celebrate the Day of the Dead, or Día de Muertos, on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. This Mexican holiday celebrates the cycle of life and death. For more information, read this past Oracle article covering the holiday.
