Westampton Middle School

                                    Hispanic Heritage Month  

     The months of September and October WMS students were actively focused on celebrating Hispanic culture and heritage with famous Hispanics through Spanish -Speaking Countries and ending the Hispanic Heritage Month with our traditional fiesta, dances and music around the world.

 What is Hispanic Heritage Month?

    Hispanic Heritage Month is a period from September 15th to October 15th in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic American to the history, culture and achievements of the United States. 

    Hispanic Heritage month started off as Hispanic Heritage week in 1968 created by president Lyndon B. Johnson. It was expanded to a full month by president Ronald Reagan in 1988.

Why September 15 to October 15?

    September 15 to Sept 18 is Independence day for a couple of countries in central and South America. October 12th is considered Columbus day in the USA, but considered Dia de la Raza or Day of the Race in Latin America. This day celebrated diversity in Latin America, so they decided to make 30 day Hispanic Heritage Month extended into October to include this date.               

What does Hispanic mean?

Hispanic refers to people from Spanish Speaking countries.

What about Latinos?  What does Latinx mean?

    Latinos are from a region called Latin America. Latinx is an inclusive way of referring to latinos. Because Hispanic/Latinx refers to the language someone speaks or the area of the world they are from, Hispanic Latinx people are diverse. This means that everyone looks different, which is cause for celebration!

         Hispanic and Latix people have contributed a lot to our society as well as the global society. They have worked hard in many fields like politics, education, science, sports, music, religion, the arts, dance, and engineering, 

                             Awesome Facts

• The Hispanic population of the United States in 2019 constitutes 1 out 5 (18.5%) of the nation’s total population, about 60.6 million. The Hispanic population grew from 16.4% in 2010 to 18.5% in 2019.

• GARCÍA, LOPEZ, MARTÍNEZ & HERNÁNDEZ are the most common Hispanic surnames in the US in the year 2019. The year 2000 was the first time that a Hispanic surname reached the top 15 in the nation during a census.

• 2ND is the ranking of the US Hispanic population worldwide, as of 2019 with 52.6  million. Only Mexico’s population with 130 million is larger than the US. – Source: International Data Base

• Roughly 14% of all people 5 years and over speak Spanish in the United States.

• 1.2 MILLION is the number of Hispanics or Latinos 18 and older who are veterans of the US armed forces in 2019 - Source: Statista.com

• In 2019, 72% of Latinos ages 5 and older spoke English proficiently, up from 59% in 2000.

•  14.4% is the percentage of the Hispanic population age 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher in 2014.

Famous Hispanics

                We at Westampton Middle school Diversity and Cultural Club provide the students an opportunity to promote cultural awareness and diversity throughout their school and community.    

            Diversity and Cultural Club members will promote peace, attempt to establish understanding of all cultures and backgrounds and extend open arms to all students, faculty, and ethnic background. 

            Students will be champions for diversity in our schools by respecting and holding space for all ethnicities, religions, races, genders, backgrounds and identities.