On September 30, Puerto Rican composer and musician Fabiola Méndez and Brazilian dance ensemble Samba Viva performed in the ACC for Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month in a K-12 assembly.
Between September 15 and October 15, the United States recognizes Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of people with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Latinx Association co-head Montse Martínez Vindas ‘26 said, “The time frame from September 15 to October 15 is very intentional, as it encompasses several independence days from many Latin American countries.” She continued, “This month serves as a reminder to honor, respect, and celebrate how far we've come.”
To engage both students identifying as Latinx or Hispanic as well as those less familiar with those cultures, the assembly highlighted the power of performance to spark curiosity and audience engagement. Director of Equity and Inclusion Melissa Lawlor hopes that "along with an appreciation for the influence of Hispanic and Latinx culture, students are walking away with the intent of learning more even after assemblies.”
The annual K-12 celebration brings together a multitude of identities that can contribute to the spread of Hispanic and Latinx culture. Lawlor believes that the assembly is an “opportunity to come together and celebrate these identities and measure [their] impact on our lives.”
The assembly provides a full-school bonding moment that allows for Milton students to learn more about others within the community. “Our K-12 assembly is one of those few chances we get to show the rest of the student community who we are, and that we are here.” Martínez Vindas stated. She also believes “[the assembly] serves an important role in teaching the student community about the core values of our cultures and their historical importance.”
This year, that purpose came to life through collaborations with both Emmy-nominated composer Fabiola Méndez and Samba Viva. Méndez—a Puerto Rican singer, educator, and Emmy-nominated composer—focuses on expressing her culture, ancestry, and identities through her original music and blends genres such as folk, jazz, and Afro-Caribbean. During her performance, Méndez played a cuatro, a traditional Puerto Rican instrument, while she sang. To accompany her performance, the students and faculty clapped to the rhythm and chanted “le-lo-lay.”
Samba Viva also engaged the audience, asking that everyone clap along while they played percussive instruments and dancers performed. Nearing the end, the performers asked for students to join them, and a crowd of students ranging from kindergarten to Class I rushed up to the stage.
Through this assembly, co-head of Latinx Association Gustavo dos Reis ‘26 hopes that “people notice how diverse Latinx/Hispanic culture is. It's hard to define it, and each country has their particularities.” He added, “music always energizes our school; I'm hoping their presence will inspire others to learn more about our culture.”
The tradition of celebrating Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month continues to urge students to “embrace differences, and work to ensure that students feel welcome no matter how they are connected to the Latinx/Hispanic culture,” Martínez Vindas shared. Reflecting on the impact of this year’s assembly, Lawlor added, she has “seen Milton students be a driving force for wanting to further their knowledge in different cultures.”