As music played, students lining the hallways cheered and teachers took photos of the Hispanic Heritage celebration parading through the campus Thursday at Harker Heights High School.
About 13 students wearing their Quinceanera dresses joined a small number of others dressed in cultural attire to bring a splash of culture to the school just before the dismissal bell.
It was the second year for Harker Heights High School to conduct the hallway parade during Hispanic Heritage Week that spans from September 15 to October 15.
Photos of the colorful parade are posted at www.killeenisd.org/photos
Several of the parade participants said they celebrated their own Quinceaneras in past years and were excited to get to use their fancy dresses again and to share their culture with their peers.
From the school auditorium across one hallway and down another, upstairs and all across the school, students lined the hallway and cheered as the parade meandered through the school.
A group of parents and other family members attended and the whole group ended in the cafeteria where they posed for photos.
School counselor Wendy Perry organized the parade the past two years. She heard about the idea from another community and figured it made sense for Harker Heights High School since half the school’s students are Hispanic.
Arieanna Plante, a junior, said she came to Texas from Kansas where she was one of the few who celebrated her Hispanic heritage.
“When I came here it was really nice to be recognized and not to feel so hidden,” she said. “It was kind of scary at first,” she said of the school parade. “I liked hearing the cheers. People admire these dresses. It made me feel good when they looked amazed.”
“I like to pull out (my dress) from time to time and show it off a little.”
Ashley Moreno, a senior, also celebrated her Quinceanera two years ago and was excited to have a chance to demonstrate her culture at school.
“I just wanted a chance to wear my dress again,” she said. “It was good. It was really fun.”
Anai Tavera, also a senior, agreed the school parade was a fun time to wear a dress special to her and to share her culture with others.
“It was important because it was my last time to wear this dress,” she said. “It felt nice hearing everyone cheer and compliment my dress.”
Perry said she was impressed with the school’s support for their peers last year and was excited to provide the event again.
Hispanic Heritage celebrations are ongoing across KISD schools through the middle of October.
On Thursday evening Killeen Elementary School and Pershing Park Elementary School both hosted events and many other schools have celebrations scheduled the next few weeks.