From September 23-27, NMSA students came together to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a variety of vibrant, student-led activities during lunch and after school. Hispanic Heritage Month is a national observance, celebrated from September 15 to October 15, that honors the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. At NMSA, the week featured a range of exciting events, including aFolklórico dance performance, a lively Lotería game, Spanish karaoke, and a festive Quinceañera Day with an energetic lunchtime dance. The celebrations wrapped up with an after-school screening of The Book of Life, a film that beautifully highlights Día de los Muertos traditions.
These impactful events were spearheaded by NMSA students and NMSA’s Cultural Liaison Jolene Vigil (an enrolled member from the Pueblo of Pojoaque), whose role is pivotal in creating an inclusive environment that supports the social-emotional, academic, and artistic well-being of our students. At the core of NMSA’s inclusivity efforts is the Cultural Room, a welcoming space designed to center Indigenous, POC, LGBTQ+, and Two-Spirit communities. This space offers students a chance to embrace their identity, celebrate cultural practices, and explore art as a tool for healing and restoration.
Throughout the year, Ms. Vigil works closely with students, offering support, organizing guest workshops, and leading a variety of extracurricular activities. These initiatives promote knowledge-sharing, joyful celebration, and most importantly, a sense of belonging for all students. Ms. Vigil also collaborates with community members and tribal leaders to enrich the range of programming available on campus, fostering an environment that nurtures both academic and artistic excellence. If you’d like to learn more about the work happening in NMSA’s Cultural Room, please be sure to join us for one of our ArtsConnect Community Tours.
Also, earlier this month, our Mariachi group performed for Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales when he visited NMSA. They wowed him with their music and their thoughtful insights into arts education at NMSA. Congratulations to our Mariachi musicians for representing our school with such talent!
Our Mariachi group is spearheaded by the following students:
Carlos Nieto | 11th Grade | Deming, NM
Jacob Speight | 11th Grade | Deming, NM
Jeremiah Noriega | 11th Grade | Deming, NM
Leon Garcia Rivera | 11th Grade | Santa Fe, NM
Cruz Gallegos | 10th Grade | Santa Fe, NM
Yerick Portillo Deras | 10th Grade | Santa Fe, NM