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By Gracie Hauser
Enterprise Intern

Taquitos, horchata, and chocoflan garnished the tables on Oct. 4 as students gathered at Davie County Early College High School to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
What does that mean for students? For Hamlet Arias Jr., a freshman:, “It’s what I eat. It’s what I celebrate. It’s how I live my life.”
Each year, the SGA hosts an event featuring food, games, and dancing to commemorate the lives and contributions of Hispanic Americans.
“[Hispanic Heritage Month] is when people like me can celebrate what our ancestors and other important figures have done for us so that we are where we are today,” said Jaretzy Saligan, a senior and the 2023-24 president of the SGA.
This holiday is observed in the United States for four weeks starting on Sept. 15 due to the date’s significance as the anniversary of independence for many Latin American countries.
To celebrate the occasion, the multipurpose room at the Early College was filled with students dancing to the beat of genres of Hispanic music.
“I love Hispanic music and dancing to music. I also love the food, but mostly the music,” said senior Olivia Jones.
In Mrs. Mallory’s room, a buffet table was set up for students to sample foods provided by parents, ranging from pupusas and rice to chicharrónes and Mexican candy.
Next door, Mr. Davis’ room hosted games including Loteria, which is a Mexican game similar to bingo. Freshman Ethan Renegar stated that if he could change one thing, he would “make the event last the whole day.”
Diversity is a core feature of the Early College, and it is taken into consideration when hosting events. Saligan shared her process for planning the Hispanic Heritage celebration.
“We try to think how we can include as many Hispanics and Latinos as possible We don’t all look the same or have the same culture.”
Exposure to customs and traditions helps students grow and learn about others’ perspectives. “My favorite part of the event is sharing my culture with other people and seeing them enjoy it,” Saligan said.