National Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 - October 15

Each year, from September 15 to October 15, APS celebrates the contributions that Hispanic Americans have made to our nation, and especially to Arlington and our schools, over the years. We also take this time to recognize the trailblazing individuals who fought for progress and equity for their communities. National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. (Background Information)

This year’s theme is “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation”.

Watch in English:

Watch in Spanish:

Watch on Vimeo: in English | en español

Share Your Voice and Get Involved!

We invite our staff, students and families to submit a poem, photo, song, art, quote or other representation (by September 30) that captures your Hispanic/Latino identity.

2022 Latinx Student Honorees

The School Board is proud to recognize the 2022 Latinx high school students chosen by their principals for their character, leadership and outstanding successes in school and life. The recognition will take place on Thu, Oct. 13 at the 7 p.m. School Board meeting and include school-based Latino leaders.

Kamila Chavez – Langston

Noe Giron Garcia – H-B Woodlawn

Matthew Hatfield – Shriver

Jeferson Isaac Nunez Jimenez – Yorktown High School

Miguel Angel Ortez – Wakefield

Romane Terceros – Arlington Community High School

Fabrizio Rodriguez-Veliz – Washington-Liberty

Learn more about the Hispanic Heritage Month Student Leaders

More Student Leader photos will be added as they become available

Background

This celebration began in 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson first issued a proclamation to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Week. (Learn More) Later, Congress passed a bill to extend the celebration to last an entire month, which was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, and National Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated every year since 1989. The dates for Hispanic Heritage Month were chosen to coincide with the Independence Day celebrations of many Latin American nations — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua — that declared their independence from Spain on September 15, 1821. Chile, Mexico, and Belize also each have their own Independence Day celebrations on days throughout the month as well.