KC to host first-ever Hispanic Heritage Month celebration

Chandler Elementary School held its celebration for National Hispanic Heritage Month last week with a display of authentic items from Hispanic Countries and letters written by first, second and third grade students. First grade teacher, Windy Wilson, second grade teacher Suzanne Blakeley, third grade teacher Andrea Archuleta along with their aides Jessenia Starr, Rebekkah Hernandez and Josh Tezcucano put the presentation together and were there to greet parents who visited (photo above). The college will host the first-ever Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, 6-8 p.m., Oct. 13, in Dodson Auditorium on the Kilgore College campus. The event, "A Celebration of Culture and Education", will feature guest speakers, dance performances by KC students and musical entertainment by "Las Estampas de Mexicomariachi," a mariachi band from Dallas.

Also, information will be provided on KC programs, voter registration and the East Texas Literacy Council. Guest speakers will be Dinorah Malik, Business Director of the Longview Economic Development Corporation; Jose Sanchez, Longview immigration attorney; Manny Almanza, KC Coordinator of Marketing Operations and Outreach; and Dr. Bill Holda, KC President.

Hispanic Heritage Month began Sept. 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence Sept. 16 and Chile Sept. 18.

The term "Hispanic," as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, refers to Spanish-speaking people in the United States of any race. On the 2000 Census form, people of Spanish/Hispanic/ Latino origin could identify themselves as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban or "other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino." More than 35 million people identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino on the 2000 Census.

The event is open to the public, and there is no charge. For more information, contact Almanza at (903) 983-8623 or email him at malmanza@kilgore. edu.