In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Bellport Middle School, S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth Inc. and the Empire Program hosted the third annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration held on Oct. 11. The goal of the program was to celebrate the culture and origin of the South Country School District’s Latinos and Spanish Americans.

The Bellport Middle School percussion ensemble, under the baton of Audrey Garcia, opened the program, followed by a warm welcome by Principal Dr. Jamal Colson. There were Latin dance performances by local dance groups and a video showcasing what being Hispanic means to many of the middle school’s students. Eighth grader Eneida Garcia performed a poetry reading and bilingual school social worker Marlyne Vecchione spoke about her heritage and the road to becoming a social worker. Parent liaison Ana Aria also read a poem to describe her heritage. 

After the program concluded in the auditorium, participants gathered in the gymnasium for additional performances, activities and to share a meal provided by sponsors Island Empanada, Del Fuego, Bravo Supermarkets, Papa Nick’s, Café Castello, CYA Action Funwear and Gaby’s.