Hispanic Heritage Assembly, November 1, 2024
By Camila Alvarado-Argueta
The Westbury High School Scholars were rewarded with a wonderful performance by their schoolmates during periods 7th and 8th. The assembly was Legends: a Tribute to the Pioneers, an assembly to celebrate Hispanic heritage month.
The assembly started off with a fun opening video featuring different students and staff doing “the Macarena”. The Macarena, a globally popular Spanish song, has been an iconic song in pop culture since the 1990’s.
The Westbury House Band played for our dear scholars, “Oye como Va” by Tito Puentes/Santana. The house band was directed by our one and only Mr Costello, who began the Westbury house band just one year ago.
As the house band finished off their wonderful performance, it was time for our Westbury scholars to shine and show off all the work they put into practicing their lines and remembering their dances. They first began with “I am Joaquin” by Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales. This wonderful performance was done by Henry Amaya and Emmaunel Exantus. Next up was Barengue performed by Henry Amaya, Audry Moran, Marc Anthon Guevara, Reginald Garcia Flores, Luis Cholula, Valery Vazquez, Camila Zembrano, Belinda Emiliano, Valerie Hernande, and also featuring Aiden Guevara on the guitar.
One of my personal favorites was “No Me Queda Mas” by Selena. This performance was done by Mirna Galdamez Lopez, accompanied by Emily, Salazar, Ulises Sosa, and Mr Costello. Mirna Galdamez Lopez truly blew the audience away with her fantastic performance. I myself was amazed by her.
Next up was “The Conga” performed by Kevin Agular, Yulianna Mata Bonilla, Jackeling Pineda, Paola Escalante, Keleb Goldsmith,Reginald Garcia Flores, Kaycia Lewis, Mr. Sanchez, Ms. Rojas, and Mr. Gonzalez.
Another great performance “La Gata Bajo la Llucia” by Roccio Duca performed by Brianna Gomez and accompanied by Emily, Salazar, Ulieses Sosa, and Mr Costello. Cumbia Tejana followed by performances by Alexis Vasquez Emiliano, Paola Ezcalante, Stephanie Amaya, Keleb Goldsmith, Jackelin Pineda, and Devyn Mouzon.
“Hasta que Te Conoci” a Juan Gabriel song, sung by Yulianna Mata Bonilla and accompanied by Mr Costello was the next wonderful performance. Yulianna truly was mesmerizing during her performance of Hasta Que Te Conoci. Her performance was amazing again this year!
Up next was “No Culpes a Nadie” by Pablo Neruda and it was Performed by the talented Wilmer Ventura. Later was “Reggaeton”performed by Angelina Jean, Celine Pierre louis, Makayla Lubin, Mirabelle Gousse, Anabelle Gousse,Rrachelle Jean Baptiste, Evei Guellena Elienne, Rodnica Veullard, Christie Romain, Kaina Avinel, Estherlie Joseph, and Chloe Gene.
After these great performances was “El Rey” by Vincente Fernandez performed by Aiden Guevara who captivated everyone with his voice and captured the hearts of many ladies in the audience.
And finally but not least was “Bembow” performed by Jacekelin Pineda, Nevaeh Moody, Yulianna Meta Bonilla, Kaycia Lewis Aguilar, Keleb Goldsmith, and Devy Mouzon.
I was able interview to Ms Rojas and she described the feeling of seeing all the hard work her students put into their performance paying off during the show. Ms. Rojas shared that “I am very proud of the work the students put into their performance and the hectic schedule they endured to make sure they were ready for the show”. I could see how proud she was of the students for their efforts that made the show a tremendous success.
This wonderful and inspirational assembly was closed by the entire cast and the Westbury house band. This marked the end of a wonderful performance by all the Westbury scholars who participated.
I certainly had a blast looking at all the different performances and I would like to congratulate all the students for a job well done at capturing the legends they were representing.