Huntington Students Electrify Hispanic Heritage Celebration

Leave it to Huntington High School students to electrify the town’s annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration in the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School auditorium.

The community event celebrated the accomplishment of two Latinos who have served others: Surgeon Arlene Rodriguez, MD and entrepreneur Erick Cienfuegos. “The speakers shared common paths and struggles to get to their present place in leadership,” said Huntington High School science teacher Rosario Lorenzana, who serves as the faculty advisor of United Amigos. “They advised the young people to work hard and endure until successful.”

With Huntington UFSD Superintendent Beth McCoy in the crowd, the celebration began with a stirring rendition of the national anthem by Huntington senior Lily Wasoski.

“Last, but not least, our very own the United Amigos performed a dance to open the festivity,” Ms. Lorenzana said. The performers included Sofia Rodriguez, Hamilton Giron, Nathali Rivera, Dana Avila, Selvin Ovando, Jilson Rodriguez, Briany Rios, Lindsay Depeine, Ashly Romero, Maria Jose Castro and Anyuli Ortega. The dances included a mix including a Bachata, Cumbia, Merengue, Punta and Salsa.

United Amigos typically meets once a week for general academic and language support and to plan and follow through on community service initiatives. For example, club members gather winter coats and food for local pantries several times a year. They participate in dances on Valentine’s Day and Cinco de Mayo. They also get involved in a variety of timely special initiatives and even perform at the fall pep rally and march in the annual Homecoming Day parade.

“The club’s initial purpose was to help immigrant students coming to the distinct from Central and South American countries to adapt to a different atmosphere and feel as if they were in their mother homelands,” Ms. Lorenzano said. “United Amigos is not only a place for a lot of fun, but it also allows students to come together and become part of the Huntington family. It has created a secure place for students over the past few years.”