For one evening at Lake Oconee Academy, students, families, and community members could experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of Hispanic cultures without traveling far from home.

On Tuesday, September 29, LOA hosted its fourth annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration, bringing together music, art, dance, photography, and food for an evening celebrating the richness and diversity of Hispanic heritage.

The celebration, however, began long before the doors opened that evening. Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, students across LOA explored Hispanic cultures through a variety of subjects and experiences, extending cultural learning beyond a single lesson or classroom. Elementary students incorporated Hispanic heritage into music, dance, and art, while high school students explored cultural connections through instrumental performance, photography, and business studies.

In business class, for example, Mrs. Nomarliz Delgado incorporated the story of Richard Montañez, a Mexican American former Frito-Lay executive who became widely known for his account of the origins of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, into lessons on business and entrepreneurship. The discussion gave students an opportunity to explore Mexican American culture while considering the role of personal experiences, ideas, and innovation in shaping entrepreneurial journeys.

For Delgado, who helps organize LOA's Hispanic Heritage Celebration each year, some of the most meaningful moments happen in the classroom during the weeks leading up to the event. She continues to be struck by students' eagerness to ask questions and learn more.

"Every year, I am amazed by how genuinely interested our students are in learning about other cultures," Delgado said. "One topic leads to another question, and then another. Their thirst for knowledge really is unlimited. My hope is that this month opens their eyes, broadens their perspectives, and helps them develop an appreciation and respect for cultures and experiences that may be different from their own."

That curiosity came to life during the evening celebration. Elementary students shared a musical performance and artwork inspired by their studies, while the LOA High School Jazz Band provided the evening's soundtrack. Student photography and other creative works offered additional perspectives on Hispanic heritage through the arts and across the curriculum.

Food added another dimension to the experience, allowing guests to explore traditional flavors firsthand. For one visitor, sampling the variety of dishes brought back memories of home. The experience reflected the kind of personal connection organizers hope to foster through the celebration.

The goal is not simply to teach students about other cultures, but to give them opportunities to experience them through their senses, their coursework and, most importantly, their interactions with others. For a few hours, the LOA campus became a place where students and families could encounter traditions and experiences that might otherwise require traveling far beyond Greene County.

Fourth grader Jaxon McCannon said those experiences make learning more exciting.

"You can learn about different cultures in class, but it's different when you actually get to experience them," McCannon said. "You get to hear the music, try the food, and see traditions from different countries. It helps you understand and appreciate where people come from."

That appreciation is what Delgado hopes students carry with them long after Hispanic Heritage Month ends. "We are a melting pot, and there is so much we can learn from one another," Delgado said. "If our students leave with a greater understanding of another culture and an appreciation for the people and traditions that make our communities so diverse, then we have accomplished what we hoped to do."

At LOA, Hispanic Heritage Month is more than a celebration on the calendar. It is an opportunity to spark curiosity, encourage understanding and help students see the value in learning from one another.