Fellowship Hall was overflowing with rhythm and movement last Friday afternoon as students in Kindergarten to fourth grade formed a massive conga line that snaked in and out of the hall and had students dancing all the way to their classrooms. In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, our Lower School community welcomed special guest, Gustavo Restrepo, grandfather of a Keys student and Mariachi performer, who shared with us a piece of Mexican culture and history.

To kick-off Gustavo’s visit, second graders currently studying Spanish gave a brief presentation intended to teach their non-Spanish speaking classmates about the holiday. Dressed in traditional Mariachi garb, Gustavo took the stage and serenaded students and teachers with Mexican folk songs. He explained music’s profound power to cross cultural lines and bring all types of people together. “You don’t have to speak Spanish to enjoy this wonderful music!” he exclaimed. He handed out several musical instruments to students and also invited a group onstage to dance along to the popular tune, “La Bamba.” While students had been learning about Cinco de Mayo in Spanish classes, this celebration gave them an opportunity to actively participate in this festive celebration of Mexican-American culture and a deeper understanding of the diverse global perspectives within their own community.

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