CHESTER, PA- October 29, 2022 - On October 19 Chester High School (CHS) hosted a wrap-up celebration to mark the ending of National Hispanic Heritage Month. 

CHS students and personnel were greeted by Latin American music, and a festively decorated table topped with bowls of Latin American candies when they entered the third-floor main entrance.

Dana Bowser, the district’s Social Emotional Learning Coordinator worked with CHS Principal Ronald Brown to put the celebration together. As a Latinx American, Ms. Bowser was thrilled to help spearhead the celebration.

“Mr. Brown and I were talking about the culture of CHS, and the district has a large Latinx population of nearly 10 percent,” said Bowser. “We wanted to make sure that all of our kids felt included and we wanted to do something to portray and display the culture, music, decorations, and taste from different Latin American countries.”

As students and staff passed through the halls, Ms. Bowser passed out candy, talked about the purpose of the festivities, and directed people to a decorated wall, which displayed famous Latinx Americans. She even gave Salsa lessons to a few students who passed by on their way to class.

PICTURE CAPTION: Dana Bowser, Social Emotional Learning Coordinator for Chester Upland School District, teaches a Chester High School student salsa lessons during the school’s Hispanic Heritage Month wrap-up celebration on October 19.  

One of the students who joined Ms. Bowser for dancing lessons was James Carr. Carr, who is of Puerto Rican, Black and White descent and a senior at CHS said he was shocked when he walked into the building. “To hear this music in the school, I felt appreciated that the district is representing for Latinos,” said Carr. “I listen to this music every day when I’m at home or in the car with my mother.”

Annually, our country celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15. During the month people highlight the history, and culture of Latin American countries while celebrating the impact that Hispanic/Latinx Americans have made on the United States. 

“Our students found the celebration to be extremely enjoyable and we were also able to spread awareness to our students and staff,” said Brown. “The demographic of our student body is rich and diverse. Our differences should be celebrated and we hope that our Hispanic students recognize how much they are appreciated.”