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Ursuline celebrates Hispanic culture
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
Ursuline High School hosted its second annual Fiesta de las Americas night on April 28 at Ursuline High School.
The first Fiesta de las Americas night in 2015 brought in 300 people and this year Paulina Montaldo, a Spanish teacher at Ursuline, said 320 people signed in. The Spanish Club began planning for the event in December.
“The goal is for the Spanish Clubs in all areas to participate,” said Montaldo.
Spanish Club partnered with a couple businesses to help allow the event be fun and free for all. Senor Jalapeno in Liberty donated food and Kester’s Krias Alapacas in Pulaskim, Pa. brought in two alpacas for the guests to visit and pet. Parents of the students also made food to contribute to the event.
“We try to come rain or shine,” said Ursuline alumna and co-owner of Kester’s Krias Alpacas, Joyce Kester.
During the first half of the night, the dance floor was filled with students and other guests who learned all types of dances to perform for the guests. Two Ursuline juniors, Bryce Blazek and Brendan Faloon, performed for the first time this year and look forward to doing it again next year.
“Somebody danced it last year and we just watched the video and practiced that,” said Faloon.
At the end of the night, the stage was open for anyone to go up and dance with their friends and families. A math teacher from Ursuline, Greg Sauline, took the stage at the end and student were more than eager to get up and join him.
“My favorite part is the open floor at the end. Everyone goes up and can dance with their family,” said Montaldo.
Students from other schools and guests from around the area were invited to Fiesta de las Americas to see the hard work and dedication the Spanish Club at Ursuline High School put in to make the night happen. The students in Spanish Club created trifold projects of different Hispanic countries to put on display for the night. These projects allowed guests to look at them and learn more about different countries.
“It’s very fun and rewarding,” said Marie Bond, President of Ursuline’s Spanish Club.
Montaldo, Bond and the rest of Ursuline High School looks forward to having Fiesta de las Americas for the third time next year and hopefully to bring in more guests as the popularity of the event grows.