To kick off National Hispanic Heritage Month, Natomas students recently painted a colorful mural on the public artwork known as “The Book” that greets motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians along Del Paso Road near Inderkum High School.
The mural was spearheaded by Inderkum’s Sabor Latino Club, which is open to all students to promote community service and appreciation of Hispanic cultural heritage. Natomas Schools Foundation sponsored the painting.
Leaders of Sabor Latino also organize an annual holiday food drive, and among other activities, members plan to participate in a blanket and food drive for the Sacramento’s homeless in 2018-19.
Designed by a Sabor Latino member, the skull on the new mural represents Mexico’s El Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Hands and their colors represent various Spanish-speaking countries. Musical notes honor Spanish music. And flowers represent the vibrant life of Hispanic heritage in Natomas and Sacramento.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual event honored throughout the country but one that has special significance in Natomas because nearly one of every three students in NUSD is Hispanic.
The month of Hispanic recognition is a little unusual in that it covers a 31-day period encompassing portions of two months. It extends from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 and celebrates the history, culture and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Mexico, Central and South America, Spain, and the Caribbean.
By starting mid-month, National Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off on the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico’s independence day is one day later, Sept. 16, and Chile celebrates its independence on Sept. 17.
