After setting up chairs, testing the microphone, and dressing their best, the officers of the Hispanic Student Association (HSA) were prepared for the commencement of their club banquet on Friday, April 24. Held in the Library Great Room, the end-of-year banquet celebrated the culmination of club projects, lasting memories, and cultural importance.

To create a lively atmosphere, the members were encouraged to bring their families to enjoy the banquet. To further enhance the evening, officers and club sponsors provided a build-your-own taco bar, where members shared memories, stories, and laughs while enjoying a warm hispanic meal.

“I would say that the turnout of the banquet tonight is a pretty good representation of our club and was really well organized and formal,” sponsor Ms. Madeline Picket said. “Seeing everyone’s friends and family really enriches the event and was much different from last year. The banquet last year was located in the art room and was very small. This year we wanted to make it bigger, and hopefully we can do it in the cafeteria next year when our club gets bigger and bigger.”

As all members and their families sat down and listened to the officers give thoughtful speeches, they reminisced over the activities and service projects they completed over the year. Carrying the value of cultural identity, their most impactful project was going to local elementary and middle schools and displaying the colorful mural made the year prior. 

Dubbed the Rhythms of Latin America and composed of colorful recycled plastic bottle caps, the mural was made to symbolize the value of cultural differences, inspire the youth to celebrate their cultural individuality and take care of the planet.

“I think the biggest event that is the most meaningful we’ve done this year is the night we were featured at Anderson Mill Elementary School when we showed off our mural to all the kids and staff,” HSA President Maria Rincon ‘27 said. “To think that people from different ethnicities with different stories are connecting with the youngest minds that will eventually grow up in an environment that won’t always be nice really means a lot. In addition, just getting to see the kids get excited by different cultures and listening to new accents was very rewarding. The kids were amazed by the ability that somebody could speak Spanish and that shows how pure their minds are.”

As the officers gave their speeches, they made it a priority  to provide Spanish translations. Honoring diversity, they wanted everyone in the room who may not understand English or Spanish to stay engaged and feel included in the celebration, honing their mission of making their members feel at home.

“At Westwood you have a lot of kids that don’t get celebrated and honored and I think HSA brings a lot of kids together and makes them feel at home,” Ms. Picket said. “They treat each other as family and they’re so close. They honor and celebrate each other in ways that strengthen this club.”

As the speeches were coming to a close, the officers called upon and acknowledged specific members who showed exceptional participation and strong dedication to the club, awarding each with a certificate. Many of these members were seniors, turning this moment bittersweet as they bid their farewell to the club members.

“I think one of the greatest things we did this year during the banquet was the senior goodbyes. I thought that was such a meaningful moment because it feels like a full circle moment,” Rincon said. “They’re going to have such meaningful memories from creating the mural as well as participating in many different events. Their memory is going to have a piece of me and that really meant a lot.”

As final hugs from friends and family were exchanged and the last bites of tacos were eaten, the HSA banquet was warmly concluded. The night celebrated the bonds made between friends, and reflected that the relationships made in HSA will last beyond the ending of the school year.

“I know some friends that I’m going to stick with for my whole life and probably keep in contact with from HSA,” Jesus Fuentes ‘27 said. “I think that’s the most powerful stuff you can learn in any place that you go and HSA has really good members. Even though they [the members] may not understand everything in this country, they try to help you when you need it and they make great friends.”