On Sept. 27, 2023, the African American Latinx Scholars (AALS) at Lexington High School hosted a Latinx Heritage Cultural Showcase to celebrate the diverse cultures in the community.
“The purpose of this event was to celebrate and embrace our Latinx students during Latinx Heritage Month. It was an opportunity for our school to recognize and appreciate the rich diversity and contributions of this community,” Ariana Akram, the AALS advisor, said.
It is the enthusiasm of the showcase’s participants that fuels the purpose of AALS: empowering the African American and Latinx students at LHS. Throughout the year, members participate in activities such as group discussions, games, field trips, and cultural events. The goal of these activities is to promote cultural enrichment and intellectual growth among the students.
Along with the opportunity to connect with their culture, the AALS encourages students to set high standards for themselves as well as their peers. The student leaders of the club aim to help members find and celebrate their strengths and promote the overall excellence of the African American and Latinx community at LHS.
During the event, the club set up several booths, each containing a poster that represented a different ethnic background from Latin countries. The event also featured traditional dances from these cultures, such as the salsa, bachata, and meringue.
Given the variety of activities that took place at the showcase, this event took a lot of time to prepare, especially for participants and club members.
“The bulk of the preparation for this event came from its participants. We asked students of Hispanic and Latinx descent if they would like to participate in the showcase. This meant creating a poster board with the country they originate from as well as some decorations or cultural artifacts,” Kai’lah Boston, an AALS club leader, said.
Boston believes that cultural events such as the Latinx Cultural Heritage Showcase are important because they show LHS’s diversity and allow students to feel recognized and celebrated.
“Representation ensures that all students at LHS feel valued and included. Showcasing different cultures helps to foster cultural awareness and understanding among students and staff. We hope that this event was successful in encouraging a sense of pride and belonging in our students of Hispanic and Latinx descent,” Boston said.
