Lincoln Elementary School Students Get Creative at the 10th Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival

Lincoln Elementary School held its 10th Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival on Wednesday, Oct. 29. The event kicked off at 4 p.m. and ran for about two hours. To honor the many different cultures in South America, each grade level was able to choose what Hispanic culture they wanted to represent via arts and crafts or a performance in their honor. The event was set up like an art gallery. Each class set up their craft for display so the attendees could visit each site and learn about that culture. According to Principal Patricia Horton, some of the third graders performed a song that named all the different Spanish-speaking nations and cultures. "Some of the students performed a song or skit... some of them created various art projects," she said. The different art projects included a small rug that the students wove, Aztec feather shields, the Dia de los Muertos skulls that were painted, colorful ponchos, and even pinatas. Horton added, "The first graders made little sombreros out of paper cups and plates." A tradition for the event was for the San Manuel Aztec dancers to perform, but unfortunately they were unable to make it this year. However, the Folklorico dance group from the Colton Community Center performed a routine. Also, local singer Gabby performed traditional Mexican ballads. Colton Police Department and Fire also joined the festival. "The kids love when they get to see those trucks," Horton shared. For a more modern performance, some of the students performed one of Selena's songs, and even did one of her dance routines. While Principal Horton explained the overall goal they were trying to achieve from this event, she shared a short anecdote about what a parent had told her during last year's festival. "One of the parents came up to me and said 'thank you for not only recognizing Mexico'," she said. The purpose of the event is exactly what the parent had told her, she explained. "Mexico is only one of the cultures in South America. This is to help the kids understand the many different Hispanic cultures," Principal Horton said. Alongside all of the entertainment for the night, they also served traditional Mexican food like tamales and tacos, and snow-cones for a sweeter treat.