Each year from Sep. 15 to Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month invites communities across the United States to recognize the rich histories, traditions and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx peoples. At Xavier, this time isn’t just a date on the calendar, but a moment to celebrate Hispanic culture.
For Spanish teacher Peggy Sue Clay, Hispanic Heritage Month is “a fabulous time for our country to stop and recognize the beauty of Hispanic culture.” She emphasizes that the month encourages people to look beyond language alone and see the diversity of the cultures across Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Spain.
Clay said the celebration also includes food, practices, music and the people who shape each culture, noting that these elements help students see how traditions vary across different Hispanic regions.
Hispanic communities make up a significant portion of the United States population, Clay noted, making it essential for students to understand the diversity within them. “Our population is growing,” she said. “Younger generations need to recognize that and embrace it.”
Spanish teacher Noemi Santaella said the month helps connect cultural understanding with language instruction. She said it provides a chance to share authentic materials such as literature, films and music that reflect the richness of Hispanic communities.
Santaella added that cultural immersion helps students appreciate not only the mechanics of Spanish but also its meaning. “I can share authentic materials like literature, music and films that reflect the richness of Hispanic cultures, making the language come alive for students.”
Both teachers emphasized the value of learning multiple languages. Clay said she encourages students to think beyond monolingualism. “The more languages you speak, the more likely you are to get hired,” she said, particularly when it comes to Spanish in the U.S.
Cultural lessons continue throughout the school year. Clay structures her curriculum so each unit centers around a different country, with Spanish I focusing on regions such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Peru and Spain.
With students learning about regional accent and vocabulary differences, it allows them to prepare for travel and real-world communication.
Hands-on cultural experiences are among students’ favorite activities. A variety of Spanish classes at Xavier either put something together for Día de los Muertos, hosted guacamole contests or even held fiestas where students sampled Hispanic foods.
Music and dance also play major roles in the classroom, giving students a firsthand experience of cultural traditions and depth to the celebration through their own perspectives.
A student perspective adds depth to the celebration. Offering personal insights, students continue to shape this tradition into their own life in different ways.
Jaden Nguyen ‘26, said she found that participating in the month’s activities helped her better understand how varied Hispanic cultures are and gave her a greater appreciation for the traditions represented on campus.
Campus groups also contribute to the month’s activities. In collaboration with Mothers Guild, Xavier decorates for Hispanic Heritage Month, adding visual energy to the campus environment.
Student organizations hosted several cultural activities as well. WAX Club coordinated a Lotería game near the Bell Tower, built an ofrenda for Día de los Muertos and even organized a piñata event that drew enthusiastic participation.
Clay and Sanatella said these events encourage students of all backgrounds to participate and learn from one another. They added that Hispanic Heritage Month builds community by promoting cultural curiosity and respect.
Though the celebration officially lasts 30 days, Clay, Santaella and students like Nguyen said its impact lasts throughout the academic year. They believe the month strengthens connections between language, culture and community at Xavier and continues to inspire learning long after October ends.
