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Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of the cultures and contributions of Americans who trace their heritage to Spain, Mexico, Central America, the Spanish-speaking nations in South America and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean. The celebration began in 1968 and was expanded to a full month, 20 years later.

Hispanic Heritage Month always begins on September 15, a historically significant day marking the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence on September 16 and September 18, respectively.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau (April, 2020) Hispanics comprise 18.7% of the population, making people of Hispanic origin the nation's second largest racial or ethnic group.

We are so proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage in Volusia County Schools.

Volusia County Hispanic Heritage Month Art & Essay Winners!

2024 Artwork Winner
Yarizel Oquendo

Artwork Yarizel Oquendo

Deltona Middle School 
Teacher: Ms. Sandra Castro

Artist Statement: Major Santiago Avila Jr. inspires me because of his background where he came from vs. where he is now. Major Avila grew up in a very poor household. The only meals he would get were the meals provided at school. Now he is the first Hispanic major of Deltona; that just proves that with enough hard work and dedication you can get anywhere. He brings his Cuban and Mexican roots to his leadership role. Not only is he committed to the role of major, but he chooses to go above and beyond to participate and volunteer, in causes close to his heart, which brings the community together. He inspires young people like me to follow their dreams, and he's dedicated to educating people about their natural rights. In conclusion, he is an example of a role model in our Hispanic community.

2024 Essay Winner
Emily Grace Kerins

Click here to read Emily's essay!

Deltona High School
Teacher: Ms. Anaimid Burgos Casiano

Sergia Cardenas

Sergia Cardenas was the first Hispanic American councilwoman of Pierson, Florida. Cardenas was born October of 1983 and is now 40 years old. She was born in Selma California to undocumented Mexican parents who later became U.S. residents. As an infant Sergia moved to Pierson where she attended local public schools and worked with her parents in Volusia County’s fern fields during the summer. In 2002 she graduated from T. Dewitt Taylor High School.

As well as serving as a member of Pierson’s town council, Cardenas currently works for the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida. As found on the Florida Education Association website, her supervisor in the Court Interpreter Department, Candra Erickson, writes: “Most recently, I had the honor of assisting Sergia in her campaign to become the first Hispanic female elected to the Pierson Town Council. She has a tremendous drive and commitment to improving the quality of life for the residents of Pierson and providing a voice for the very often-marginalized immigrant community, which make up a large percentage of its residents. Sergia is not afraid to confront the status quo that has been in leadership positions in Pierson since the town’s inception. She may seem quiet and unimposing on the surface, yet she is always listening, analyzing and planning the next step in making her 3community a more inclusive place for all. She consistently stands up for what is right even when it is an unpopular opinion or when her progressive ideals are met with resistance. I cannot think of a more suitable candidate to receive this award.” Explaining why she believes Sergia Cardenas is the right person to be elected for Pierson’s town council.

Before Cardenas was elected as a member on Pierson’s town council, she worked with Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) which is a local non-profit organization. RMCA gave her the opportunity to work with low-income migrant children and their families which inspired her to take basic immigration law training to better help those families and start her career in the legal field.

Cardenas was honored at the FEA Human and Civil Rights Awards Gala on October 14th at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando during the FEA delegate assembly. The Cesar Chavez Action and Commitment Award was presented to Sergia Cardenas and Karla Hernandez. This award was one of the five statewide awards presented at that event.

Throughout Sergia Cardenas’s life she faced an abundance of challenges and accomplished many things which is why Sergia Cardenas, the first Hispanic American councilwoman, is such an important woman and sets a great example for young girls to follow.

 

Celebrating our winners!

Yarizel

 

Emily VCS HHM Essay

 

 

Hispanic Heritage Month school activities listed by date below:

School Date Time Event
Citrus Grove Elementary     Hispanic Heritage Month at Citrus Grove
Creekside Middle     Activities at Creekside Middle
Deltona High    
  • Annual Luncheon, Friday, October 13th at the Learning Commons
  • 1st Deltona High School Hispanic Festival, Thursday, November 9th at the cafeteria courtyard, from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
  • Dance from DHS Latin Dance Group  
  • Bomba & Plena dance from University High School students 
  • Spanish guitar performance (from our own guitar students) 
  • DHS Band with Spanish acoustic songs  
  • A Capella performance by 2 of our students 
  • **Hispanic food trucks 

We will also have several stations to display students' projects related to the Hispanic culture, and of course, Hispanic food samples for the attendees.

Pierson Elementary 10/13/23 5:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Multicultural Night

 

Resources: