Salsa rhythm, delicious food and Hispanic pride were on the agenda during the middle school’s second annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration held on Oct. 11. Sponsored by the South Country Central School District and in conjunction with S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth Inc., the evening activity’s goal was to celebrate the culture and origin of the district’s Latinos and Spanish Americans.

After seventh-grader Anthony Santana led participants in the Pledge of Allegiance, Principal Jamal Colson explained that the driving force of the celebration is “unity.” During his opening comments he said, “Tonight we celebrate the things we have in common. Unified, we make up one nation and one school district, and when united, everything is possible.” 

In addition to poetry readings from students Leila Garcia and William Guevara Arriaza, students were shown a video with student interviews about what Hispanic heritage means to them. Members of the Brentwood/Bellport Soccer team demonstrated their best moves to the delight of the audience, followed by a student-led macarena community dance. The highlight of the evening was the social hour and dinner provided by sponsors Gaby’s Deli and Grocery, Gallo Restaurant and Bellport Deli and Grocery. In addition, Bellport Middle School also thanks East End Printing and Embroidery for their sponsorship.