Mariah Edmonds-Guridy (285)

Central’s diversity has been one of its highlights for decades now. Students from many different walks of life, countries, and cultures have all shared the halls in our school. These different students have the ability to share their cultures in school showcases. There are showcases for Black History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, and, as of 2023, Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month.

During the week of October 20th, 2025, HLU (Hispanos y Latinos Unidos), CIA (Carribeans In Action), and Salsa at Central all joined together to create a show full of art from Latin America. Performances included spoken word poetry, live singing, and dances such as the bachata, merengue, and salsa, all accompanied by Latin artists such as Kali Uchis and Bad Bunny. 

As the official Hispanic and Latino Heritage month falls between September 15th and October 15th, the performers had to prepare very early on in the year to be in time for the celebration. To be ready by curtain call, students began practicing as soon as the academic year started. CIA head of public relations, Aspyn Reyes (285), stated, “We were choreographing and doing things during the school day [and] after school.” The dedication of the students in these clubs was clear as they practiced into the evenings and went through rehearsal after rehearsal, all in the name of spreading their beloved cultures.

This 22-act showcase is more than just an assembly for the Central Hispanic community. It is a chance to celebrate Latin roots within the community as well as with those outside of it. Hispanic/Latino students are not a major demographic within the school, so, as CIA President Adamaris Lopez (285) puts it, “It’s a good way to showcase the Hispanic people who are here and our actual culture[s].” Whether it’s a poem about Puerto Rico or dancing to the classic “El Beeper” by Oro Solido, each act shares the joy, pain, and everything in between that is embedded within the unique Hispanic/Latino experience.

This showcase, being relatively new to Central, means there is a lot of room for growth. Like many other clubs, seniors hold many leadership positions. After the 285 seniors, some of the first to ever see such a showcase, depart from Central, the reins will be left to the underclassmen to carry on the new tradition. We can only hope that this showcase will live on to be a beacon of representation and an event where those within the community can feel seen, heard, and valued at our school.