Students wait in the grass before the Baile de los Viejitos, or "Dance of the Old Men," at the Ontario School District Family Fiesta on July 22, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)
ONTARIO – Over 500 people gathered on the green field of Ontario Middle School on Thursday evening for Family Fiesta, a celebration of Latinx art, culture, and the end to four weeks of summer school.
Students and families endured the 102-degree heat with energizing dance performances, artwork, and ice-cold refreshments enjoyed in the shade of sun umbrellas. A stage set up in the parking lot, plus booths and art displays around the field, showed off the students’ work.
The fiesta was the first year where all five summer school sites, ranging from pre-k to high school, celebrated together, said Xochitl Fuhriman-Ebert, Ontario Summer School principal.
“The main purpose is to keep our youth engaged throughout the summer in learning and make those lifelong connections,” said Fuhriman-Ebert. “School isn’t always just sitting behind a desk and writing a paper – learning is a lifelong skill.”
In addition to cultural and artistic education, the summer programs provided an array of classes, ranging from meditation to robotics to escape rooms.
Six binational teachers from Mexico also joined the summer faculty this year, bringing unique experiences and expertise to local youth. Teachers at the fiesta manned booths, ladled pineapple juice and nachos, and joined in the celebration of their students and their heritage.
“Whether through the arts, writing, dance, or food – [students] were able to appreciate their heritage, where they come from, and share it with other youth,” said Fuhriman-Ebert. “It goes a long way.”
Students take to the stage in a whirl of color and scarves at the Ontario School District Family Fiesta on July 22, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)Kail Belliston Sr. and Jr. enjoy watermelon and shade from the 102 degrees weather at the Ontario School District Family Fiesta on July 22, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)Spectators cheer on friends and family members during a student dance performance at the Ontario School District Family Fiesta on July 22, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)Teachers make last minute wardrobe adjustments as students prepare to perform at the Ontario School District Family Fiesta on July 22, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)Young spectators chat in the grass while watching performances at the Ontario School District Family Fiesta on July 22, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)Dancers paint the stage and sky blue in 102 degrees heat at the Ontario School District Family Fiesta on July 22, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)A student poses for a photo after performing in the Baile de los Viejitos, or the “Dance of the Old Men,” at the Ontario School District Family Fiesta on July 22, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)Students descend from the stage with spirits and temperatures high following a performance at the Ontario School District Family Fiesta on July 22, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)Spectators cool off with umbrellas and fans in 102 degrees weather at the Ontario School District Family Fiesta on July 22, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)Sepctators at the Family Fiesta take in shade and artwork by students in the pre-k summer program, taught by binational teacher Ms. Diaz, on July 22, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)Clara Covington waves to her mother in the crowd before her class dance performance at the Ontario School District Family Fiesta on July 22, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)Cruz and Natalia Nungaray enjoy nachos, ice cream, and a respite from the 102 degree weather outside in the school cafeteria during the Family Fiesta on July 22, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)Students wait for their turn to perform behind the stage-on-wheels at Ontario Middle School during the Family Fiesta on July 22, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)A spectator films the show at the Ontario School District Family Fiesta on July 22, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)A teacher secures cow-themed paper headbands before students perform at the Ontario School District Family Fiesta on July 22, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)Students perform on stage at the Ontario School District Family Fiesta, the culmination of four weeks of summer school, on July 22, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)
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