Since coming to LT four years ago, Equity and Belonging Director Dr. Jennifer Rowe is excited to present this year’s annual celebration of Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month: Nuestra Historia, meaning “Our Story.” From hosting it online during COVID-19 to planning multiple events at both campuses, the celebration has undergone some major changes and improvements.

“We are what we celebrate,” Rowe said. “And when we celebrate different things that bring joy and help us to learn about other sounds, flavors, communities, cultures, and stories, then we’re more open. Whenever we go out and do anything in our lives, it won’t seem so unfamiliar.”

Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, with the Nuestra Historia celebration on Sept. 27, Rowe said. Prior to the event, teachers will sign their classes up for every period. Located at the SC PAC and the NC Reber Auditorium, each show is expected to have an audience of between 300 and 600 students. This year is the first year that the celebration will have multiple programs running throughout the day. A variety of cultural performances will be featured at North and South campuses, including an all women Mariachi band, poetry readings, and speakers. 

“I think hearing just how important our stories are and reaching out with all the artists and hearing their passion to share about who they are in their art form has really been amazing,” Rowe said. “It is something that is deeply personal, and we get to go on that journey with them.”

In addition to Rowe overseeing Nuestra Historia, the Student Equity and Belonging Committee supports and helps the event run smoothly. Committee member Leah Thakadiyil ‘26 plans to be involved in Nuestra Historia.

“It’s a nice way to spread awareness about topics that have been inherently lost or not really noticed by people,” Thakadiyil said. “It’s nice that one can spend a month just talking about that. Educating and spreading awareness to other people on those topics is important, so people can see the history behind Latin history.”

Prior to the event, the committee shares ideas and gives feedback, while throughout the day, members participate by emceeing and hosting. Similar to Thakadiyil, committee member Leilani Flowers ‘26 also enjoys being a part of this event.

“It’s just good to know that as students, we can make a difference for culture awareness,” Flowers said. “Even though I’m not a part of the Latinx community, I can influence awareness inside of the school.” 

Working behind the scenes alongside the Student Equity and Belonging Committee, equity ambassadors, who are teacher leaders, play an important role in coordinating the celebration of not just Nuestra Historia but the entire Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month. College and Career Counselor Cody Dailey is one such equity ambassador for the Heritage Month. 

“I want everyone to be proud of their heritage and where they came from, so we celebrate who students are every day of the year,” Dailey said. “It’s 365, but I think these months are a nice reminder and are a great way to emphasize that pride.”

As an equity ambassador, Dailey’s role comprises of promoting belonging as well as planning specific college-related opportunities for Hispanic/Latino students.

“I think it’s important to see your identity in the world that you live in,” Dailey said. “I think you can inspire a lot of students to pursue a college degree with this. I love any opportunity to celebrate people showing pride in who they are and their identities.” 

This year, Dailey oversaw some of the programs, which include a field trip to the National Hispanic College Fair at Moraine Valley Community College, and informational meetings called “Lunch and Learns.”

“I’ve always been a believer that information is power,” Dailey said. “It’s just a great way to learn more. I think that we are also so blessed as a school district to have the diversity we have in our school. I see diversity as a strength of being able to meet different people with different life experiences. I think that adds value to our understanding of the world.”

Although this year’s Heritage Month has already had major successes during the planning process, there have been some obstacles along the way, Rowe and Dailey both said. 

“I think the hardest thing has been designing it for two campuses because of the cost, and I couldn’t do one thing one day and something another, ” Rowe said. “Meeting the needs for teachers to support their classes has also been challenging.”

Planning for this year’s Heritage Month has been ongoing since last year, Dailey said. With the month starting in early September, planning is challenging at the beginning of the year because it is a transition period for a lot of people.

“Everyone is so busy, but the turnout has been phenomenal,” Dailey said. “It kind of spans two months, so that’s kind of a tricky element that we always want to remember, but I’m already thinking about next year.”