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http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS Thursday, September 19, 2024 3

HERITAGE

Continued from Page 2

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Voces, which supports the area’s residents of Hispanic heritage, was a

sponsor and had an information table at the Fiesta. (Shopper News photo by Shelly

Kehrle-Sulser)

Battle Creek Society of Artists

Vice President Judy Nettleton (left)

and president Coco Sweezy, (not

pictured) led youths in an art activity

in which they make spray dye shirts

at the Fiesta. (Shopper News photo by Shelly

Kehrle-Sulser)

continue to make significant and last-
ing contributions to the City of Battle
Creek.”
According to Behnke, President
Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968 started
Hispanic Heritage Week and that
President Ronald Reagan expanded
that celebration in 1988 to encom-
pass a 30-day period during which
time Costa Rica, El Salvador
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua,
Mexico and Chile celebrated their
day of independence.
On Aug. 17, 1988l Congress passed
Public Law #100-402 designating
Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 National Hispanic
Heritage Month.
“From arts, and education to
business and public service,” said

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer,

“Hispanic communities play an

essential role in the fabric of

Michigan. Their achievements and

contributions continue to propel us

forward. As we honor this month,

let us continue to build a state that

reflects the values of equity, inclu-

sion, and opportunity for all.”

Among those performing in the

bright sunshine and temperatures in

the high 80s on Saturday was high

school junior Samantha Nochebuena

of Kalamazoo, who dances with the

Kalamazoo troupe, El Conclio.

“We have been dancing around

like in Holland, sometimes in Battle

Creek,” she said, “and Kalamazoo,

too. Festivals and events.”

El Concilio do Folkloric dancing,

she said.

“And, the different type of dance

we do,” she said, “is Sinaloa and

Jalisco.”

Nohebuena said she started dancing

when she was six years old.

“But then,” she said, “El Concilio

had a program for a dancing group

and I started doing it as well and I

really love it.”

Another dance performance from a

different region in Mexico was pro-

vided by a group called Cheran.

The group consisted of young

women in brightly colored dresses

dancing together to lively music.

Grillo said besides the Fiesta, the

Latin American Heritage Initiative

also awarded scholarships and lap-

tops to Latin American students who

entered the competition.

Several sponsors such as the Battle

Creek Community Foundation, W.K.

Kellogg Foundation, Advia Credit

Union, Battle Creek Public Schools,

Voces and more were also recognized

during the event emceed by “Dano”

from WMUK.

Young attendee Oliver Elmore said

that Hispanic Heritage Month is a

time to celebrate people from differ-

ent countries.

“Most of the people from Hispanic

Heritage Month are from Spanish

speaking countries like Mexico,”

he said, adding that he most wanted

to “try the food. I haven’t tried any

food from Colombia. That’s what

I’m going to try first.”

His Mom, Julie Elmore, attended

for the second consecutive year, “to

celebrate and to also just be in the

midst of a couple of languages all at

once and to see the beautiful danc-

es,” she said, “and the music and to

see the community as a whole come

together.”