Cinco De Mayo

Maude Laird Middle School held its Cinco De Mayo celebration Friday night featuring music, food, traditional costumes and a food contest. Catherine Davis, ESL teacher at Maude Laird directed the event. (photos clockwise from top) A group combining Kilgore, Springhill, Gilmer, Tatum and Longview High Schools performed traditional Mexican dances and competed this weekend at Maude Cobb Convention Center at a Cinco De Mayo Pageant. Veronica Rojas and Fernando Rodriguez performed the Mexican Hat dance. Cordell Taylor, orchestra assistant at Maude Laird provided violin music. Door prizes were given out, here Drew Clements (right) wins one, Clements, Principal Jody Clements son is on his way to a full scholarship at Hawaii Pacific College. Coach Monty Miller is a judge of traditional Mexican food. Miller said it was all great but the cactus was a little different. The crowd was treated to a traditional Mexican meal. Sixth grade students from Maude laird performed for the crowd. Davis said the group who has only been together for two weeks works everyday on their routines. Davis said dance group is multi-cultural and plans to continue working together. The group calls themselves the MLMS Folklorico Dancers. Over 100 attended the Cinco De Mayo celebration.

(News Herald Photos by Lester Murray)