Hispanic Heritage Spotlight: Cristina Sicard

Each year, National Hispanic Heritage Month offers the opportunity to celebrate the culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx people in the U.S.

To honor and celebrate this month at Old Trail, we asked Primary School Spanish Teacher and children's author Cristina Sicard a few questions about her unique experiences, what she would like more people to understand about being Hispanic, and her passions outside of teaching Spanish at OTS. 

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
It means family. It's a month of inspiration to continue representing my family from the Dominican Republic and my roots in everything I pursue.

What are some of the ways you celebrate your cultural heritage this month and/or year-round?
I celebrate my cultural heritage year-round by learning more about the Dominican Republic and creating incredible, traditional dishes such as carne molida or chicharrones de pollo. Continually, I reflect on the incredible Latino changemakers before and around me (I especially love music artists). This month, I shared with my students children's books highlighting the accomplishments, perseverance and contributions of Hispanic Americans. 

What would you want people to know or understand about being Hispanic?
People often generalize Hispanics as all being the same. I want people to take the time to learn that the Hispanic/Latino community itself is diverse. Hispanics can be of any race or ethnicity. In our classroom, we look into the different cultures and customs of the 21 Spanish-speaking countries.

What are some of your passions outside of teaching?
For me, writing is a means to embrace and learn about myself. It's cathartic for me to write stories I needed to read as a child. I cherish the work I've done as a Latina children's author to help mi gente feel seen. My two published books Harmony and Sábana the Sloth were created with so much love for everyone to enjoy. 

About Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30-day period.