Students in the Newcomer Program celebrated the Independence of six countries during a ceremony on Sept. 15.
The activities included the running of the torch, a tradition in Guatemala that symbolizes freedom, unity and knowledge. Students also presented the flags along with a symbolic song of Latin America.
The celebration was organized by the Youth Together and the Newcomers Program and directed by Guadalupe Gomez of the Youth Center.
Newcomers are students who have been in the U.S schools for less than four years. There are 48 newcomers at Skyline this year.
“It was very exciting because it was something new and the cultures in our countries were also being made known. And it was a nice experience for those who were participating,” Belsy Mazariegos, a junior from Guatemala, said in Spanish.
The event was held on this date because many Central American countries, including Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, obtained their Independence from Spain on Sept. 15, 1821. Although Mexico became independent on Sept. 16, many Mexicans still celebrate the day before with the other Latin American countries.
Newcomers and Youth Together also decorated the 50s building with Latin American flags and historical information. The 50s building is home to several newcomer classrooms.
After the ceremony, parents of several students served traditional dishes they had prepared including baleadas, tamales, sandwiches and horchata.
This year the focus of the celebration included more education for students outside the New-comer Program.
“It is important to continue with our cultures and teach the rest of the student body our traditions and raise our flag very high”, said Newcomer Assistant Juanie Rangel, who announced several of the activities and carried the Mexican flags during the festivities
