September 15th was the official start of Hispanic Heritage Month. Several people celebrate this month including Ms. Carranza-Arango, an English teacher here at Santa Rosa Academy. She teaches 8th grade and has been teaching here for four years. When asked “What do you know about Hispanic Heritage Month?” She responded, “I do know that it is the month for all Latin American people. However, each of the countries have their own independence days specifically. I also know that it’s a month to celebrate all of our differences in Latin culture.”
Ms. Carranza-Arango explained that she doesn’t do anything at home, but at school she tries to make her lessons related to Hispanic culture by having her students read books written by Hispanic authors. While Hispanic heritage month takes place once a year, she technically celebrates it everyday. Both of her parents are Guatemalan and that they live right on the border of El Salvador. Therefore she grew up with certain traditions and cuisine. She explained that Guatemalans have similar dishes to El Salvador’s. She even went into detail about a Guatemalan dish, pupusas. She says they’re “–like a tortilla filled with cheese and sometimes meat.” Her favorite dish is “probably between pupusas or Pollo Horneado.”
Ms. Carranza-Arango described her culture as “very rainforest style” due to the weather and the several rainforest trees and places to visit that are good for nature. She also explained that the native culture of Guatemala is the Mayan culture who also speak Spanish. As a proud Guatemalan, she wishes people knew more about her country and that not all Latin Americans are Mexican. She is a great example of why we celebrate Hispanic Heritage month because there is a lot to learn about different cultures.