Fountain Inn High School’s Second Annual Hispanic Heritage Night

By Isabella Castro

October 23, 2025

Fountain Inn High School hosted their second annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration last night. It was hosted in the school cafeteria from 6:30-8:00 p.m. 

The evening consisted of homemade and potluck style food, music, dances, awards, and art. This event was organized and put together by FIHS’s very own Spanish Club, run by ESOL teacher Reem Alnatour and Spanish teacher Max Moore. 

The club is also student-led by President Faith Albert, Vice-President Salo Salas, and Social & Event Coordinator Isabella Castro Vasconez.

From the moment that one walked in, the aroma of all the delicious home-cooked meals just flooded the room. From Arroz con Gandules (rice with pigeon peas), to Pico de Gallo with tortilla chips, and all the way up to horchata, people had dozens of different options to choose from. There was the opportunity to make their plate, and after sit and converse with others.

Informational displays were sprinkled throughout the cafeteria and tables were decorated with souvenirs from each country.   Many people also had on either soccer jerseys or a Cumbia dress, which is a typical Colombian dress. There were hand-drawn and decorated flags made by students and parent volunteers around the walls. A playlist carefully created by Albert and Castro was played on the speakers, allowing everyone in all generations to dance. 

“I feel like tonight was a way for not only for people to see what other cultures are like, but they also get to go see who else out there is like them, which I think is super important for a community,” Moore said.

While last year was focused on providing entertainment by hiring a dance academy, this year’s tradition was a bit different. Last night highlighted the fun that was had by all the guests. While certain songs came on, dozens of people and parents were dancing traditionally or simply dancing with the intent of having fun. The dances ranged from merengue, bachata, to even a conga line, recruited by all Fountain Inn students that wrapped around the dance floor. 

“Actually, I am very happy and very satisfied [with tonight] because last year, we had a dance performance where everyone watched, but I felt like tonight was even more special because everybody had a chance to actually participate in the dances,” Alnatour said.

The night ended with all the visitors being led into the auditorium for a short powerpoint explaining the purpose and background of Hispanic Heritage Month but also a short celebration for the multilingual learners passing their ACCESS test. 

“As a minority myself, I know what it feels like to wonder if your culture or your story matters—and I want our students to know that it absolutely does,” Alnatour said.

As a surprise show, a few students from the FIHS boys soccer team performed a short stunt to show off their soccer skills. Rehearsed and performed all on their own, they ended the night with a tribute to the sport in all Hispanic hearts.

“We thought that it would integrate our culture because soccer is a sport that we mostly play in Latin American countries and it’s just shaped us as to who we are now,” said sophomore Diego Correa Solano.

Although this event concluded the finale of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations at Fountain Inn High School, the Spanish club is certainly not done. They are currently in the midst of planning a field trip to Columbia for International celebrations.  

HISPANIC HERITAGE NIGHT

Photos by Maddie Perez & Elijah Sorenson

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