For the past month, Marist High School has endorsed and has been celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with the help of the Latinos United Club.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebratory event observed in the United States from September 15 to October 15 to recognize the contributions, history, and culture of Hispanic Americans.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, Marist has had daily announcements over the P.A. system about the importance of Hispanic heritage month, has displayed notable Hispanic figures and alumni throughout the halls, and has held fun performances of singers and guitar players.

This has all been directed and coordinated by the Latinos United Club.

“We’ve had a few performances after school of people who are brave enough to sing or play the guitar, and that takes a lot of courage,” said Antonio Mota, a first-year Spanish teacher, and moderator of the Latinos United Club.

Their efforts have paid off with increased attendance at regular meetings. 

“[The club] has had great showing with over 30 students attending, and they’ve been doing Hispanic Heritage jeopardy, and they’ve had food at the meeting as well,” said Mota. “[The club] is a safe place for Latinos to come together and be in company with people of similar beliefs, culture, and language.”

The celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month has also underscored the fact of why clubs like Latinos United are important to students of Hispanic and Latino backgrounds. 

“We’re the biggest minority group in Chicago and there’s a lot of students of Latino and Hispanic heritage here at this school,” said Mota. “People are proud of their families and traditions, and Latinos United and Marist is giving them an opportunity to show who they are, and that is only a benefit.”

The celebrations of Hispanic Heritage month and other cultural recognitions are important to Marist as they serve to provide comfort and a sense of belonging to those with various backgrounds.