United Hearts’ annual Fiesta Latina dance will be held at the school on May 5, and tickets go on sale soon.
One Heart One Mind, which is now known as United Hearts, was started with former English teacher Kate Mobley. It started in 2009 as a way to showcase the different cultures present in the school, and the dance has been held every May since then. The Fiesta Latina dance became an event because her Latina students wanted to spread their culture and dance with others.
“Fiesta Latina is a day where I get to learn more about my culture and help others learn about it as well,” sophomore Brizzeette Robleto said.
At Warren Central they take their time planning this dance every year and have around 150 people to come and support.
“We began hosting this party because we felt there was a need to promote the Latin culture, though the DJ plays a wide variety of music,” United Hearts co-sponsor Susan Kalberer said.
Even those who do not want to go to the Fiesta Latina event itself can support the initiative in many ways.
“You can participate by learning the dances and teaching them or by setting up and taking down the decorations,” United Hearts co-sponsor Maria Pereria said.
Tickets will go on sale later this month, and each ticket will cost $10. People who attend this event will get dance lessons, snacks, games, crafts and a photo backdrop. The Fiesta Latina dance theme has not been revealed yet, but the dance will be decorated according to the theme.
There is not an expectation for prom dresses and tuxedos for those who are attending, but Kalberer and Pereira said they want attendees to “dress to impress,” meaning wearing more than just jeans and a t-shirt.
“We began hosting this party because we felt there was a need to promote the Latin culture, though the DJ plays a wide variety of music” said Kalberer
While the Fiesta Latina dance is United Hearts’ main event of the year, the group’s overall focus is to educate people about all the diverse cultures that are present at Warren Central.
“Me siento muy feliz y emocionada porque es mi primer y último año en Warren Central y nunca me imaginé que harían una fiesta de latinos,” member Emily De Los Santos Reyes said. “Creí que solo hacían los demás bailes y listo, pero me emociona mucho saber cómo latina que soy, que se haga un baile representando nuestra cultura y nuestra tierra natal me hace sentir como en casa.”