FITCHBURG — The eighth annual Hispanic Heritage Assembly at Fitchburg High School was once again a rousing success, a student-led celebration of different cultures featuring traditions, colorful costumes and high energy dance numbers.
The special event was held the morning of Thursday, Oct. 29, a yearly affair that coincides with National Hispanic Heritage Month. High school world language Spanish teacher and Latin American Club Adviser Aury Rivera once again emceed the event, which was attended by staff, teachers and the entire student body. Rivera announced all of the performances.
“As a teacher, there is no greater joy than watching them grow, not only as students but as confident leaders who embrace their identity and understand the beauty of their roots,” the beloved educator and FHS alum shared.
Rivera noted that several countries were represented including Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico and her native Puerto Rico, and this year they “decided to include the Brazilian population because the group is growing and they are also in South America” along with Chile for the first time as well.
“The students modeled traditional clothing that represents their culture to the more modern ones, and they danced merengue, salsa, bachata, indigenous Taíno, Brazilian music, bomba y plena and cueca, which is a traditional dance from Chile.”
FHS sophomore Yashley Nicole Veras Peña is an active member of the Latin American Club and choreographed two of the dances for the special gathering.
“I’m proud of my heritage, my culture and traditions that makes me who I am,” the 15-year-old from the Dominican said. “The things I enjoy the most about the assembly is to learn from other countries, share our traditions and show others our best, show our diversity because we are unique.”
Rivera said Yashley participated in the Hispanic Heritage Assembly last year and “loved it” and “has helped recruit other students and taken a lead role in the assembly.”
She also shared that Latin American Club President Barbara Gonzalez Lopeza, a senior from Puerto Rico, “has also been heavily involved in the assembly.” In addition, they had a decoration team comprised of students who created all the pieces and set them up for the affair that included Mia Genao and Monseratt Reynoso from the Dominican Republic, Geraldinio Fasutin who has Dominican Republic and Haitian heritage, and Miguel Noguera and Delalyah Page from Puerto Rico.
Rivera said, “every routine was special, each one told a story,” including a new one.
“Cueca is the traditional dance from Chile,” she shared. “It was our first time representing this country since we started the assembly, but the connection was amazing because the performers are siblings. It was great to see their love and passion for their traditions and culture and their parents were there. It was a very emotional experience.”
Rivera kicked off the program by welcoming everyone.
“Thank you for joining us as we celebrate the richness, diversity, and beauty of Hispanic and Latin American cultures,” she relayed. “Today we will celebrate the traditions, music, dance, clothing and cultural contributions that make our communities so special. Our students have worked very hard to prepare these performances, and we are excited to share their talents and cultural pride with all of you.
“Today is an opportunity to honor our roots, appreciate our differences and recognize the many ways our cultures bring us together,” Rivera continued. “From traditional dances to modern styles, each performance tells a story and represents an important part of our cultural heritage.”
She recognized the two students of hers who were honored with Latino Student of the Year awards at the annual Festival Latino held in September at Riverfront Park in Fitchburg, Barbara Gonzalez Lopez and sophomore Miguel Noguera, and introduced the fashion show models who wore both traditional and modern clothing.
“Our students will represent different countries by showcasing clothing that reflects their cultural heritage,” Rivera said to those at the assembly. “You will see a beautiful combination of traditional attire and more modern styles, demonstrating how culture and fashion continue to evolve across generations. Each outfit represents a story, a tradition and a connection to a country and its people. Let’s celebrate the creativity, diversity and pride of our student models.”
Next up were performances including a traditional Taíno dance that honors the heritage and cultural traditions of the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean.
“Through movement and rhythm, this performance reminds us of the importance of preserving and celebrating the cultures that have shaped our history,” Rivera said of the macana dance.
Merengue followed, a lively and energetic musical and dance tradition from the Dominican Republic.
“Known for its infectious beat and joyful movements, merengue brings people together through music and celebration,” Rivera said.
A Brazilian cultural performance came next in the program, a country that Rivera noted is “known for its vibrant culture, rich traditions, and incredible musical diversity.”
“This special presentation combines Brazil’s national anthem, a modeling segment, and dance, offering us a glimpse into the country’s national pride, fashion, and artistic expression,” she shared.
A group salsa number came next, a vibrant dance and musical tradition shaped by diverse Caribbean and Latin American influences.
“With its lively rhythms, energetic footwork, and expressive movements, salsa is enjoyed by people around the world,” Rivera said.
The next to last performance celebrated the rich cultural traditions of Puerto Rico.
“Bomba and plena are traditional Puerto Rican musical and dance forms with deep African and Afro-Puerto Rican roots,” Rivera relayed. “Through rhythm, movement, and community, these traditions tell stories, preserve history, and express the spirit of the Puerto Rican people. These rhythms remind us that music is more than entertainment. It is also a way to preserve our history, share our experiences, and pass our traditions on to future generations.”
The final number of the assembly brought them to Chile and featured the country’s national dance, cueca, which is “traditionally performed by partners who use graceful steps, handkerchiefs, and lively movements to express a playful courtship.”
“This beautiful dance is an important part of Chilean cultural identity and is especially celebrated during Chile’s national festivities,” Rivera said.
The closing brought all of the students who participated back on stage, where they took in the loud applause and cheers with smiles on their faces.
“As we come to the end of our Hispanic Heritage Assembly, we want to recognize everyone who made today’s celebration possible,” Rivera said. “To our students, thank you for your hard work, dedication, courage, and enthusiasm. You have shared your cultures, your talents, and your pride with our entire community.
“We also want to thank our teachers, staff, families, parents, and community members for supporting our students and helping make this event a success,” she went on to say. “Today, we have celebrated traditions from different countries, experienced the beauty of music and dance, and witnessed the incredible talent of our students. ¡Muchas gracias a todos! Have a wonderful day, and let’s continue celebrating our cultures, our traditions, and one another.”
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