Hispanic Latino Association (HLA)  started last school year and is continuing to go on. Members mainly communicate with each other by texting one another in a group chat that was created by member Tiffany Garcia. Occasionally they meet up in school to have meetings with everybody, for example, practices for events would be on Tuesdays and Fridays right after school.

“We are a big family coming together to support one another as a Hispanic community,” explained Tiffany Garcia, the president of HLA. 

“The benefit of the HLA is we get together and learn about different cultures. We learn about some traditional plates of one another’s countries, how we celebrate, and what different holidays we celebrate. We get to learn where we come from and what we are known by, and we also have the freedom to learn about everybody’s background because some people like how another person’s country cooks, celebrates, and speaks. For example, Cuban people and Dominicans have  different vocabularies than Mexicans and Salvadorians do,” said Catherine Gonzalez.

“A big requirement to be in the HLA group is your grades. Grades have to be good all the way through because in HLA we are supportive and understanding. Supportive because if you do need help in any way for whatever reason, we are there to help you along the way to achieve everything you are reaching for. We want to make you a better person- we really do look at each other as family and will do everything possible to make you feel included. We really try to recruit freshmen because they are new to this school and they can easily be badly influenced when hanging around non-responsible kids. We want to lead them to the right pathway. We are also understanding because we all get off track every once and a while and everyone makes mistakes or sometimes we have different activities to do and we slack on the important school associated things,” said Danna Garcia.

“HLA dances to so many varieties of music, which include Nortenas, Huapangos, Bachata, Punta, Merengue, Reggaeton, and Salsa. These are all very fun to learn and are a great way to pass time and  just to have fun with friends and family. Although it can be very difficult to learn some of them; we should all expand our activities,” said Walter Romero.

“HLA brings together a family with members from  various backgrounds to create a strong and diverse family to support students. We collaborate on different ideas. We brainstorm different ways on best helping our students. We share our cultures and express ourselves through dance. Why do we do HLA? Because growing up in a different country, you don’t always get the support you need and it also helps me to connect with students. I have walked in  their shoes before!” said Ms. Sorto.

“I do HLA because it is something worth keeping me on track and it motivates me to do better. So I can stay in HLA and celebrate with the family we have created. It allows me to express myself, in a way,” added Tiffany Garcia.

HLA would love to include more people; it truly doesn’t matter what your background is as long as it is something that makes you happy we encourage you to help us grow our family by doing this all you have to do is conversate with Ms. Sorto in the main office about all information.