Excitement and fun were on display at St. Peter’s Plaza during this year’s 16th Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival, held on Oct. 30.
This year the festival’s main speaker was Julio Mendez, director of Fine Arts for the school district.
Mendez explained why many people celebrate their Hispanic heritage.
He gave a history of how the Hispanic people developed, from the time of Spanish explorers to now. Mendez said the occasion is decreed by a presidential proclamation.
Parts of his speech were in English and Spanish.
Mendez gave a challenge to all VMT students.
“Continue your hard work. Don’t stop learning. Most important, don’t let anyone stop you from your dreams and your goals for your life,” Mendez said.
Art department head Armando Hinojosa was one of the organizers of the Hispanic festival. He suggested the school recognize Hispanic Heritage Month 16 years ago.
“I think this was the best festival I have seen in 16 years. In the first Hispanic festival there was only one booth, and we gave away free chalupas,’’ he said.
This year no elementary school students attended the festival.
“I would like to see elementary students come so they could learn more about their heritage and so they could have some fun,” Hinojosa said.
 This year the Hispanic Heritage Festival was celebrated at the end of October.
He’d like to see it held earlier.
“One thing I would change is for the Hispanic festival to be between September 15 and October 15,” he said.
Nevertheless, he thought this year’s festival was successful.
“I would like to thank my co-workers for their hard work and cooperation for making this Hispanic Heritage Festival the best. I hope next year we will do better,” Hinojosa said.