Las Casitas Park was filled to the brim with celebratory activities this afternoon for the Hispanics of Today and Tomorrow annual Fiesta.
The Fiesta, which is intended to celebrate Hispanic culture and raise money for scholarships for Hispanic graduating seniors, was started in 1998, said Sally Sanchez, an organizer of the event. In 1999, a scholarship program was started and since that program’s inception, $38,000 has been raised for scholarships.
The Fiesta is held each year to celebrate all Hispanic cultures, Sanchez said, and the money raised through fundraising efforts through the year and through drink sales during the fiesta goes toward scholarships. Last year, 21 scholarships were given to Hispanic graduating seniors who were college-bound, Sanchez said.
The fiesta was filled with activities including a parade that started from South West Street by Riverside and Peter Pan Park; a Mariachi band, folk dancers, food and other dance, contests and entertainment.
A group of four Emporia teens form a folk dancing group, which performed solo and alongside the Mariachi band. The dancers in the group are Ruby Alvino, 17; Brenda Del Alba, 17; Anabel Diaz, 16 and Sandra Garza, 17. The group started dancing together about four years ago and practice almost every day for two hours, Alvino said.
“I’ve always liked dancing,” Alvino said. “I like doing it.”
And the dancing is hard work as the dancers performed traditional folk dance in traditional dress. They pleased the crowd earning applause and smiles.
Also during the event, the award for Hispanic of the Year was given out. Janice Perez, who works in the Educational Talent Search program at Emporia State University, was chosen as the 2009 Hispanic of the Year. Perez said her parents are originally from Mexico and she arrived in the United States when she was 14 years old. She went on to graduate from Emporia High School and Emporia State University. Today she works with students from the sixth to 12th grade on the importance of staying in school and continuing their education beyond high school.
In her job position, Perez said she helps students prepare for college. This includes helping them prepare for ACT and SAT, helping with college tours and a host of other activities to encourage students to go to college. Perez said it’s not just about getting the students to ESU either. They also help kids with other universities and junior colleges that fit them.
A highlight of the event is the coronation of the new Fiesta Queen. The three fiesta queen candidates raise money for scholarships and the candidate that raises the most money is crowned the Fiesta Queen. This year’s queen is Rosalinda Izaguirre, a freshman at ESU and daughter of Jamie and Rosalinda Izaguirre. First runner up is Emmaline Rodriguez, a junior, and daughter of Jeff and Susan Rodriguez. Second runner up is Olivia Granado, a sophomore and daughter of Teena Granado and Rene Granado.
Izaguirre said she didn’t expect to win and beamed proudly as she was crowned Sunday afternoon.
“I really thought I was going to lose,” she said after she was done hugging family and friends congratulating her. “I am really excited and happy I won.”
Izaguirre said she sold tickets to her family and friends — many of them out of state to raise the money. She also went house to house.
“My family helped a lot,” she said.