![\"Herencia](\"https:\/\/static.lehigh-v.lehigh-valley.production.k1.m1.brightspot.cloud\/dims4\/default\/1bcd533\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4032x2268+0+0\/resize\/880x495!\/quality\/90\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flehigh-valley-brightspot.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fa5%2F9a%2Fd2630e764c7c87de272fbca4003a%2Fimg-6678.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nBETHLEHEM, Pa. \u2014 Even though Hispanic Heritage Month officially ended the day before, the celebration was far from over at Northeast Middle School.<\/p>\n
Inside the school\u2019s brightly lit cafeteria on Thursday night, the smell of arroz con gandules, pernil, pastelillos and churros filled the air as families and school faculty packed the space for the Bethlehem Area School District\u2019s annual Hispanic Heritage celebration.<\/p>\n
Leading the festivities was Northeast Middle School music director Denise Parker, whose after-school vocal groups opened the night with a sing-along. <\/p>\n
Students surrounded the crowd, inviting them to join in on familiar Latin songs \u2014 tunes from the reina y rey of salsa music, Celia Cruz’s “Guantanamera,” and Marc Anthony’s “Vivir mi Vida.” <\/p>\n
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Micaela Hood <\/p>\n
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LehighValleyNews.com<\/p>\n
Herencia Jibara performs at Northeast Middle School during a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo many wonderful people coming together for such a wonderful time,\u201d Parker said from the packed auditorium. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to do something a little different this year. We thought \u2014 why not have everyone sing with us?\u201d<\/p>\n
As Parker’s students performed, the celebration continued with more dancing when Northeast alum Danny Class took the stage with his band, Herencia Jiraba. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe were built by Bethlehem. We went to Northeast. We graduated from Liberty High School \u2014 and it\u2019s always an honor to come back to our family here.” <\/p>\n
Danny Class of Herencia Jibara<\/p>\n
\u201cAlong with my brother, right here to my left, we are Northeast proud,\u201d Class told the crowd. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe were built by Bethlehem. We went to Northeast. We graduated from Liberty High School \u2014 and it\u2019s always an honor to come back to our family here.” <\/p>\n
The group performed a lively mix of Caribbean and Latin American music, encouraging families to dance, clap and sing along.<\/p>\n
For Parker, who shared that her mother was born and raised in Lajas, Puerto Rico, the night was also about honoring heritage through joy and connection. <\/p>\n
Between performances, she led students in a nostalgic jump rope activity, reviving a childhood game many in the audience remembered from their own neighborhoods. <\/p>\n
“One of my favorite things I remember as a child is jumping rope. How many of us remember the song, ‘Brinca la Tablita?'” Parker asked. <\/p>\n
“I used to jump in the streets of Brooklyn singing that song.” <\/p>\n
![\"BASD](\"https:\/\/static.lehigh-v.lehigh-valley.production.k1.m1.brightspot.cloud\/dims4\/default\/60eac8b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3024x1701+0+0\/resize\/880x495!\/quality\/90\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flehigh-valley-brightspot.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2Fba%2Fee670cc84c3cbf3390332b6f77e3%2Fimg-3745.jpeg\")
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Micaela Hood<\/p>\n
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LehighValleyNews.com<\/p>\n
Eric Fontanez, supervisor of equity initiatives at Bethlehem Area School District, helps pass out Puerto Rican eats at the Bethlehem Area School District’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. <\/p>\n
The event was organized by the BASD Office of Equity Initiatives and featured arts and crafts coordinated by 16 Spanish teachers from the district\u2019s elementary schools. <\/p>\n
Tables were lined with colorful paper serapes, flowers, flags, lucha libre masks and artwork celebrating the many countries represented across Bethlehem\u2019s student body.<\/p>\n
Community partners \u2014 including the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley, ArtsQuest, Millersville University’s PA Migrant Education Program, LANTA, Lehigh Valley Public Media, Fit for Life and the Crime Victims Council \u2014 also participated, offering resources and activities for families.<\/p>\n
![\"Hispanic](\"https:\/\/static.lehigh-v.lehigh-valley.production.k1.m1.brightspot.cloud\/dims4\/default\/c65e651\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5712x3213+0+0\/resize\/880x495!\/quality\/90\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flehigh-valley-brightspot.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2F25%2Fe1%2Fd77103f240fab468c62e91d60d85%2Fimg-6717.jpeg\")
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