At Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School, the library has been transformed into a vibrant hub of culture and creativity as students celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a series of activities designed to honor history, traditions and community.
Observed nationally from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month pays tribute to the histories, cultures and contributions of people with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The dates coincide with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries as well as Día de la Raza, which recognizes the diverse heritage and influences across the Americas.
Heather McCarthy, media specialist at OLHMS, said the school wanted the celebration to be hands-on and meaningful for students.
“Our library becomes a space where students not only read about history and culture, but also actively participate in it,” McCarthy said. “Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month gives our students the chance to see themselves reflected in our school community and learn more about the cultures of their peers. It builds pride, empathy and understanding while encouraging curiosity and respect for diversity.”
The library features a book display highlighting Hispanic authors and stories, alongside QR codes that let students quickly access more information about the month’s significance. In the MakerSpace, students are crafting colorful tissue paper flowers for a collaborative mural, weaving traditional Ojos de Dios, and exploring Hispanic culture through interactive activities on Google Arts & Culture.
Students themselves played a key role in designing the displays, photo booth and activity stations. That ownership, McCarthy said, makes the event resonate even more.
The celebration is as personal as it is educational, students said.
“It is really important to learn about Hispanic Heritage Month because a lot of people think it’s only about Mexico, but we learned it includes many countries, like Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic and more,” said Isaiah Medina Moreno, 12, of Oak Lawn.
Others emphasized the importance of learning about different cultures and finding common ground.
“What we learned in the library is important because everyone deserves to learn about each other’s culture,” said Ruth Marquez, 12, of Oak Lawn. “It’s great to celebrate different cultures from around the world and see how people can be both different and the same. I especially enjoyed learning about the traditions from all the different Hispanic countries.”
For students like Ari Dominguez, 13, of Oak Lawn, the celebration was a chance to feel seen.
“It’s nice that people learn about me, my family and our culture,” Dominguez said. “I like that they leave the library knowing more about it.”
Classmate Amad Sulieman, 12, of Oak Lawn, said he was surprised by just how much Hispanic Americans have contributed to the country.
“I learned that millions of Hispanic Americans live in the United States, and they’ve made so many important contributions to our country,” Amad said. “It was really interesting to see how much they’ve helped shape history, culture and everyday life.”
McCarthy said those kinds of reflections are exactly why the school dedicates time to celebrations like these.
“These activities remind students that our differences are a source of strength, and that every culture has stories worth telling and sharing,” she said.
