Cultural celebration at Bedford Middle School brings community together through traditions and learning

Students, staff, and families came together last Thursday at Bedford Middle School to celebrate Hispanic Heritage and Italian American Heritage with an afternoon filled with food, music, dancing, and crafts. The event honored the rich cultural traditions of both communities while fostering connection and appreciation among students.

Guests were welcomed with colorful displays and bulletin boards highlighting the history and contributions of Hispanic and Italian cultures. The celebration began with a vibrant buffet featuring a range of homemade dishes, including Puerto Rican yellow rice and beans, Dominican white rice and beans, Cuban plantain chips and guava cheese pastries, Colombian empanadas and arepas with avocado, Italian spaghetti, Mexican conchas, and passion fruit juice.

Once seated, students used “conversation cards” to spark discussions about their own cultural experiences—from food and art to travel, traditions, and fashion. The lively exchange set the tone for an afternoon of learning through joy and creativity.

A highlight of the event was a salsa dance demonstration led by guest instructor and seventh-grade parent Anaiza Morales, who introduced students to basic salsa steps accompanied by a brief presentation on the history and instruments of salsa music. Students enthusiastically joined the dance and earned a standing ovation from the six parent volunteers supporting the event.