Latino youth, flags of Latin nations in the spotlight for Hispanic Heritage Month in Aurora
Latino youth were stars of the show in downtown Aurora on Friday night.
Hundreds of supporters came out Oct. 1 for the youth-led Parade of Nations as part of the city's “Aurora Avanzando” (“Aurora Forward”) Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration.
Popular 9-year-old mariachi singer Ryan Cornejo opened the ceremony with a performance that received a standing ovation.
Students then represented the vast diversity in the Latino community during a flag ceremony highlighting 20 Latin countries, where each participant entered the event to their respective country's National Anthem and shared facts about the country.
Then the flag bearers collectively “circled the globe” before proceeding into the downtown area. They were greeted by the cheers of residents and visitors enjoying a Friday evening out on the town.
The Parade of Nation is one of 15 events sponsored by the City of Aurora for Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
For upcoming events, visit www.aurora-il.org/AuroraAvanzando.
Upcoming programs
• Every Wednesday during Hispanic Heritage Month, Mayor Richard Irvin will host virtual Community Conversations at noon that highlight Latinx professionals in the community. On Wednesday, Oct. 6, the mayor will be joined by Latinx medical professionals to discuss health care, including the impact of COVID-19 on the Latinx community. The four-part series will conclude on Wednesday, Oct. 13, with a panel of Latinx educators in Aurora.
• The city also is spotlighting Latinx community advocates and organizations at both city council meetings during Hispanic Heritage Month. At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, Mayor Irvin will present the Mayor's Award of LatinXcellence to honorees recommended by Alderman Llamas and Alderwoman Garza. Those being recognized will be listed on the agenda before each meeting.
The second half of Hispanic Heritage Month will highlight youth and heroes.
• To honor the life and legacies of three young men who paid the ultimate price for our freedom, the city will name streets in recognition of Lance Corporal Hector Ramos, Lance Corporal Edwardo Lopez, and Lance Corporal Jesse DeLaTorre. In three separate public street naming ceremonies on Saturday, Oct. 9, the young heroes will be remembered for their service to our country and community and forever memorialized for future generations to know their impact on the world. All three heroes were graduates of East Aurora High School.
• A focus on the next generation of leaders will conclude Aurora Avanzando on Thursday, Oct. 14, when panels of Latinx leaders at city hall will meet with students in the Waubonsee Community College Upward Bound Program. The “Si Se Puede” panel offers a dialogue with first-generation college students at local high schools that will motivate them to navigate high school and plan their futures.