U-46 schools celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Elgin Area School District U-46 celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, beginning Thursday, Sept. 15, with a series of student projects, events, presentations and assemblies. Presentations will include Latino leaders who will share stories and life lessons to inspire academic success.

Six U-46 middle schools and three high schools will host Latino Leadership Assemblies for U-46 English Language Learners students and staff with professional motivational speakers Lilyan Prado and Carlos Ojeda Jr. this month. The English Language Learners department and the Bilingual Parent Advisory Council are sponsoring community events along with other activities throughout the month.

"We celebrate diversity every day in U-46 but it's critical that we take time this month to really reflect on the history, contributions and achievements of our Hispanic leaders and students," said U-46 Chief Executive Officer Tony Sanders. "The variety of activities and celebrations this month reflect our year-long commitment to preserving and lifting up the cultural and ethnic background of more than half of our students."

Nearly 51 percent of the District's 40,000 students are Hispanic. More than 120 languages are spoken in students' homes, according to district data.

Prado Carrillo is a motivational speaker and a financial aid specialist who travels around the country with a team of young men and women alongside Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch, a sought-after speaker and highest-ranked Latina in the U.S. Army, to inspire students and parents to become leaders in their communities.

Ojeda, an entrepreneur, author and educator started CoolSpeak: The Youth Engagement Company which provides youth programs designed to educate and empower children and teens.

The presenters will share their personal stories about overcoming obstacles, and their advice on battling stereotypes, empowering students to succeed and promoting the belief that higher education is accessible for everyone.

Some U-46 elementary schools will host Mexican Independence Day celebrations during the month of Sept. and October. School Parent-Teacher Organizations are sponsoring several events that will feature bounce houses, ballet folklorico dancing, food, the Elgin Police Department's K-9 Unit and more.