Hispanic Heritage Month Assembly Inspires Pride Across UA Maker

By Sariah Jenkins

October 31, 2025

 

Stories were spoken, poems rhymed, and pride took center stage at Urban Assembly Maker Academy’s Hispanic Heritage Month assembly on Oct. 17, 2025.

 

Students and staff gathered in the school auditorium to celebrate Hispanic culture and identity through poems, stories, and rap performances shared by guest speakers. The assembly was organized by the school’s Restorative Justice Coordinator, Daniel Jerome, along with senior student council members Dulce Rojas and Ixchel Cervantes, who served as the event’s masters of ceremonies. The event aimed to honor the Hispanic community and encourage students to take pride in their heritage.

 

“It was important for our school to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month because the majority of students here are Hispanic,” said Micah Headley, a junior at UA Maker and a member of the student council. “Acknowledging different cultures and backgrounds was essential for this assembly.”

 

Students said the event made them feel represented and inspired. “The assembly made me feel excited seeing Hispanic culture being recognized in our school and hearing different stories from different people,” said Leyah Martinez, a junior at UA Maker.

 

Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, recognizes the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. At UA Maker, where many students identify as Hispanic, the assembly gave the community an opportunity to celebrate shared culture and learn from one another.

 

Performances, poetry, and music brought students together and highlighted the diversity within Hispanic traditions. “Events like this assembly are essential for our students,” said Daniel Jerome, the school’s Restorative Justice Coordinator. “They give students a space to celebrate their heritage, learn from one another, and build pride in who they are. Recognizing cultural connections strengthens our entire school community.”

 

Cultural celebrations are not always prioritized in schools, which can leave students without opportunities to share their stories. At UA Maker, the Hispanic Heritage Month assembly created that space, turning recognition into celebration.

 

As the final poem echoed through the auditorium, students left with a renewed sense of pride. “I feel more connected to my culture and more confident sharing it with others,” Leyah Martinez said as she exited the assembly.