Bluff City High School held a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration for the community. We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.
Bluff City’s event featured different stations to visit for education or participation in activities. Guests were treated to fresh tacos de asada, prepared on site by Bluff City’s own Camacho family. Another station, prepared by Emilio’s Grocery on Getwell, featured ingredients like grilled chicken, chorizo, barbacoa and pastor. The Padilla family prepared authentic mole, as well as pan de muerto provided by two of Bluff City’s students, Fernanda Padilla and Alison Padilla.
Though the food was amazing, it was not the only thing happening at the celebration. There was a “book tasting” introducing various bilingual children’s books by Hispanic authors. Participants were able to read from My Two Border Towns by David Bowles, Hear My Voice by Warren Binford, Yefferson, Actually by Katherine Trejo and Scott Martin-Rowe and Mi Casa Is My Home by Laurene Sala. Once everyone had their fill of reading, guests learned to play a traditional Spanish card game called loteria. It’s the Mexican version of bingo. Finally, there was a station dedicated to creating art for Dia de Los Muertos, a holiday in the Spanish culture that celebrates the ancestors.