Chapel Hill Junior High School recently hosted its second annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration Thursday evening, bringing students, families, and community members together to celebrate Hispanic culture. The event featured nearly 26 vendors, offering items from food and jewelry to community resources, alongside student performances.
Elvia Mojarro, administrative assistant to the principal and bookkeeper at the school, organized the celebration. She actively sought out local businesses and vendors, inviting them to share their products, services, and interests with the community. Mojarro expressed appreciation for those who chose not only to showcase their businesses but also to support Hispanic Heritage Month at the school.
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually from September 15 to October 15, a period designated to recognize the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. The month-long observance also provides an opportunity to celebrate the diverse Hispanic communities and the traditions passed down through generations.
For Mojarro, the celebration carries personal significance. Having moved to East Texas from California at the age of six, she has witnessed the Hispanic population grow in the area over many years. She aims for students to feel their backgrounds are recognized and valued, particularly those whose countries of origin, such as Honduras and Venezuela, might be less represented in the local community. Mojarro described Chapel Hill, stating, "We're a big melting pot here in Chapel Hill."
Amid ongoing national conversations surrounding immigration and Hispanic identity, Mojarro emphasized her desire for students to understand the importance of being engaged and contributing members of their communities. She strives for students to feel a sense of belonging, regardless of their backgrounds, noting that people immigrate to be good citizens and "make it better."
The celebration resonated with attendees like Griselda Viramontes, whose child is an eighth grader at the school. Viramontes, attending the event for her first year at Chapel Hill Junior High, expressed appreciation for the school’s focus on Hispanic heritage. She described it as "very important for us, for the Hispanic people," fostering a connection to their origins and preserving traditions passed down by relatives. Viramontes highlighted Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, as a favorite tradition for honoring deceased family members.
Mojarro hopes the celebration encourages people to look beyond headlines and get to know members of their community rather than making assumptions. Her wish is for attendees to feel recognized and proud of their heritage, leaving the event with a sense that they matter. She encouraged people to "give us a chance" to foster understanding within the community. The annual event provides a platform for this ongoing connection and cultural recognition within the Chapel Hill community.
