Jefferson Elementary School families came together on Oct. 22 for an evening of food, music, dance, and cultural traditions celebrating Hispanic and Italian heritage.
Jefferson staff members helped make the event welcoming and accessible by providing translations in English, Spanish, and Italian. The evening featured student performances representing different cultures. In preparation for the celebration, students practiced their dances with Elizabeth Crooke, a longtime dance teacher at Jefferson.
Alexandra Cabrera-Terry, a first-grade teacher, also danced with her students and recited a poem in Italian.
“I have been studying Italian, and it was a great opportunity to show our community that learning is lifelong,” she said.
Students performed traditional dances, including the “Joropo” from Venezuela and Colombia, and bachata from the Dominican Republic. Keysha, a new fourth-grade student, delighted the audience with a solo dance to Merengue music by Dominican artist Juan Luis Guerra.
Third grade students sang “Proud Corazón” from the Disney/Pixar movie “Coco.” It plays during the final family celebration of Día de los Muertos at the end of the movie when Miguel plays music with his family.
“Jefferson is an awesome group of dedicated administrators, faculty, and parents. And of course, amazing, adorable, and rhythmic students with some pretty smooth moves," said community member Patricia Poole Parrilla. "I loved the event, a beautiful night of folks, food, and fun".
Jefferson staff members also joined the celebration by performing the Italian “Tarantella,” a fast-paced Italian folk dance. First, the teachers danced, and then they invited other staff and students to join in the fun. One student summed up the experience by saying, “I had so much fun dancing with my teachers!”
After the performances, the celebration continued in the cafeteria with Dominican empanadas, Mexican sweet bread, tacos, tri-colored cookies, Mozzarella and cold cuts, bruschetta, and tiramisu. Generous community support made the celebration possible. Carvel on Webster Avenue, Trigal Bakery on Union Avenue, Sweet Life Bakery, and other community members donated food for the event.
Through music, dance, food, and shared traditions, Jefferson’s Hispanic and Italian Heritage Celebration brought families, students, and staff together to honor the cultures that make their school community special.