The Observer., November 06, 2019, Page 39, Image 39

November 2019 • www.baker5j.org
Bulldog Pride
7
Hispanic Heritage Month
South Baker Intermediate celebrates the Latino culture in October
S
ixth-grade classes at South
Baker Intermediate School
had special projects and
presentations throughout October to
celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
and lead up to Dia de los Muertos
(Day of the Dead).
Each Thursday featured a special
assembly led by Ma'lena Wirth, ESL
family liaison coordinator/interpret-
er-translator for the district.
On October 3, students saw a
mock Quiñcenera, a traditional
dance to celebrate when a girl turns
15.
"Traditionally, in the eyes of Latin
American communities, the 15th
birthday has marked the point of a
girl’s maturity," Wirth said. "So, to
celebrate this significant birthday,
families throw elaborate birthday
parties called quinceñeras."
The advanced art class from Baker
High School presented their art cre-
ations and spoke about the history of
clay and paper mache on October 10.
The next week, on October 17, Wirth
built a family ofrenda (an altar to
honor loved ones who have passed
away). Students also built ofrendas
in their classrooms.
"These are things important to
them. Not you — to them," Wirth
said.
Parents modeled different types
of dresses on October 24, and the
final Thursday, October 31, featured
a show about the Day of the Dead,
food tasting of traditional Hispanic
foods,a free book for all students
titled "Family Pictures," and face
painting in the traditional style of
Dia de los Muertos.
The month-long celebration
culminated on November 1 with a
community Day of the Dead event at
Baker High School. The evening fea-
tured a mariachi band, food samples,
and portraits of local families.
Classroom ofrendas were on
display, and everyone attending was
invited to bring mementos to place
on the community ofrenda.
Iriana Rosales, Maripaz Gonzalez, Maria Guadalupe Rodriguez, Luiz Rosales,
Glendi Luna and Lupita Macias demonstrated traditional dresses and dances.
The first Thursday presented a mock Quiñcenera held on a girl's 15th birthday
to celebrate the transition to womanhood. Pictured are Emmanuel Luna, María
Guadalupe Rodriguez, Lupita Macias, Glendi Luna and Mariano Duran Puente.
Ma'lena Wirth, right, built an example ofrenda during one Thursday session.
At the end of her presentation, Alma Rodriguez (and her daughter Nathely)
arrived with warm "pan de muerto" — a traditional sweet bread for Day of the
Dead celebrations.