9 Spanish V Honors students and 2 teachers volunteer at Fiesta Cinco de Mayo 2010

Submitted by Lauren Reggero-... on Thu, 05/06/2010 - 11:55am

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Internships in the Hispanic Community

Yesterday 9 Spanish V Honors students and both Spanish VH teachers volunteered at Fiesta Cinco de Mayo 2010...our third consecutive year volunteering for the Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association. We were the first group of volunteers to arrive and were very warmly received by Kathy Romero and members of the Board of Directors of the Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association. Our crew was given the charge of welcoming 24 schools and help seat some 1,500 children, chaperones and teachers who came to attend the annual Children´s Assembly. The Ballet Folklórico de Guadalajara performed and dazzled the crowd with regional dances while a spectacular group of mariachi musicians provided accompaniment and encouraged the audience to join them for Mexican classics like, Cielito lindo. Our students also helped staff the PGSCA volunteer booth and the children´s tent....who knew our group had a future in face painting!? After we cleared the tent from the Children´s Assembly, some of us assisted in readying the area for the Cinco de Mayo Naturalization Ceremony. I found it especially rewarding to be able to help greet these new citizens and welcome them to the festival. Over 20 nations were represented and 49 new citizens were sworn in. Our students were able to witness this event and hear from a series of honored guests who acknowledged the importance of education, cultural diversity, being plurilingual, the strong and positive Hispanic presence in our state and the importance of getting involved in our community. Please view the photos taken of our group in action and check out the short movie we´ve put together to help give you a taste of our fabulosa Fiesta Cinco de Mayo 2010 experience. http://blip.tv/file/3587708

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