At a lively gathering in Wunsche High School’s cafeteria, students from across the district came together to celebrate Spring ISD’s Annual Hispanic Heritage Program. This dynamic event was a mix of artistic expression, captivating performances, culinary delights, and heartfelt narratives that showcased the district’s commitment to honoring and celebrating its diverse heritage.
The program kicked off with a featured gallery walk, where the vibrant artworks of students captured the attention of attendees. This was followed by a formal program, with speeches from district officials, as well as appearances by students from the Spring High School Navy JROTC Color Guard, the Spring High School Spanish Club, and Westfield High School Spanish Club.
Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa marked the occasion by delivering remarks that resonated with the message of unity and shared cultural experiences.
“We have numerous cultures, but it’s our heart and language that bring us together,” she said. “As a daughter of immigrants, public education opened many doors for me. If I, a young girl from South Texas, could ascend to the proud position of Superintendent in Spring ISD, our children can achieve the same. It is both my personal commitment and our collective responsibility as Spring ISD to ensure that your children’s dreams become reality.”
Three Spring High School students were then highlighted, delivering heartfelt speeches of their own.
Lina Mora, a Spring High School junior who also serves as the Vice President of the Hispanic Honor Society and is an active member of the Spanish Club dance team, shared her personal perspective.
“I was born in Colombia, and I’ve been in Houston attending Spring High School for less than two years, during which I’ve had an incredible school experience,” she said. “While this event may be labeled as a Hispanic presentation, on a personal level, it serves as a unifying force for me and my classmates.”
The evening continued with excitement and a vibrant fiesta atmosphere as proud parents cheered not only for their children’s performances but also for the District Hispanic Heritage Contest winners.
Reina Varela, a parent of a student at Northgate Elementary, found significance in the celebration, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural roots for her daughter.
“This event holds immense significance for me personally. I was born in Honduras, and my daughter was born here in the US,” she said. “This gathering helps my daughter learn more about where mommy and daddy come from, fostering a sense of pride in her roots.”
Jaqueline Castaneda, a teacher from the Spanish Club at Spring High School, expressed the joy of seeing students from diverse backgrounds coming together and becoming a family.
“The Spring ISD Hispanic Heritage celebrations bring us closer as a community,” she said. “Witnessing our students showcase an array of talents – Cubans dancing Mexican Folklorico, Guatemalans learning traditional Venezuelan dances – is truly heartwarming. The way everyone comes together, sharing their cultural stories, is simply remarkable.”
As the night drew to a close, the Hispanic Heritage Contest districtwide first-, second-, and third-place award winners were bestowed with well-deserved medals or trophies. They had the special opportunity to be individually recognized and captured in a moment of pride. For a visual recap of the event, click here, and for the full list of winners, see below.
Spring ISD’s 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month Contest Winners:
1st Place Winners
Category: Arts – Individual Winners
- Lydia McConico, Marshall Elementary, Grades K – 2
- Maria Bannoura, Smith Elementary, Grades 3 – 5
- Joelynn Salinas, Wells MS, Grades 6 – 8
- Kimberly Saravia, Wunsche HS, Grades 9 – 12
Category: Arts – Group Winners
- Jonluca Abundiz, Mya Phillips, Alayna Barbosa, Allison Alvarez, Jennifer Moreno, Northgate Crossings Elementary, Grades K – 2
- Monica Rodela & Sofia Montoya, Link Elementary, Grades 3 – 5
- Brenda Rangel, Crystal De La Cerda, Wells MS, Grades 6 – 8
- Kensi Soler, Guillermo Juarez, Francisco Rodriguez, & Yasmin Ramirez, Dekaney HS, Grades 9 – 12
Category: Writing – Individual Winners
- Audrey Rocha, Anderson Elementary, Grades 3 – 5
- Ne’vaeh Hayes, Twin Creeks MS, Grades 6 – 8
- Lina Mora, Spring HS, Grades 9 – 12
Category: Writing – Group Winners
- Ashley Bonilla, Maria Diaz, & Cristopher Flores, Spring HS, Grades 9 – 12
2nd Place Winners
Category: Arts – Individual Winners
- Lorenzo Rodriguez – Meyer Elementary, Grades K – 2
- Angie Guevara – Northgate Crossing, Grades 3 – 5
- Rylee Murchinson – Dueitt MS, Grades 6 – 8
- Stacey Flores – Westfield HS, Grades 9 – 12
Category: Arts – Group Winners
- Evelyn Flores, Minh Nguyen, Qui’yonna Gilbert, Noah Carrillo, Jimiyah Rivers, Giovanni Santana, Ashley Lazaro, Daniela Rivera, Anayelli Macedo, Silvia Panameno, Valeria Espinosa, Herson Lemus, Sheryln Salazar, Amanda Rivas, Arely Hurtado, Evelyn Flores, Fanny Arcos, Elissa Perez, Emily Chavez, Alexa Sabonge, Nathaniel Figueroa, Anabel Medina, Alina Lara, Matayaa Smith-Dunn, Logan Urias, Deylin Clay, Camila Lorenzo, Clarke Harris, Lindsey Bradley, Jolanni Boria, Rael Delgado, Demi Calhoun, Scarlett Irias, Angela Nguyen, Katherine Salamanca – Thompson Elementary K-2
- Linda Perez, Rosa Guevara,& Mia Rivera – Marshall Elementary,
- Keiry Sanchez, Karen Valle, Fabian Viamontes, & Tanya Alatorre – Wells MS
Category: Writing – Individual Winners
- Samuel Guajardo – Marshall Elementary, Grades 3 – 5
- Jazsuary Willis – Wunsche HS, Grades 9 – 12
3rd Place Winners
Category: Arts – Individual Winners
- Sovereign Baptiste – Meyer Elementary, Grades K – 2
- Sofia Moya – Winship Elementary, Grades 3 – 5
- Michael Rodriguez – Dueitt Middle School, , Grades 6 – 8
- Maria Karla Diaz – Spring HS, Grades 9-12
Category: Arts – Group Winners
- Amari Bonds, Anari Bonds, Brooklyn Houston, Caleb Birdow, Caleb Martinez, Chidinma Osakwe, Cody Sanchez, Daniela Gonzalez, Erick Gonzalez, Isaac Escobar, Ja’Mari Thomas, James Norton, Jamie Franklin, Jayceon Gallien, Julius Lewis, Kali Cosey, Kamari Bonds, Kehlani Smith, Lyric Lee, Noe Alavarez, Samuel Izaagurre, Tristan Birdow, Yane Mejias, Zaiden Guerro – Hoyland Elementary, K-2
- Jizelle Williams, Kennedi Rivers – School for International Studies at Bammel, 6-8
Category: Writing – Individual Winners
- Alisson Argueta – Lewis Elementary, Grades 3 – 5
- Jazmine Fuentes – Wunsche HS, Grades 3 – 5