The celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month continues through October 15th! Keep the festivities going by incorporating these influential Hispanic Americans who all cumplen años in October into your lessons.
- Bruno Mars
Born Peter Gene Hernandez on October 8, 1985, Bruno Mars is a world-famous musician with a wide variety of musical styles, including pop, R&B, funk, reggae, and rock. His Hispanic heritage comes from both his father, who is of Puerto Rican and Jewish descent, and his mother, who is Filipina and Spanish. In honor of Bruno Mars’s music, have students listen to and critique songs from the Latin genres that have inspired his unique sound, like cumbia, salsa, and merengue. Afterward, play some of Bruno Mars’s music and discuss where students hear Latin influences.
- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was born on October 13, 1989. At age 29, she became the youngest woman ever to be elected to Congress. She represents New York’s 14th congressional district and advocates for a progressive platform that includes promoting the rights of workers, encouraging investment in green infrastructure, and increasing state funding for higher education. To celebrate Ocasio-Cortez and her accomplishments, invite students to discuss the issues important to her. For example, how would free or low-cost tuition for college impact them? What are the pros and cons of investing in green infrastructure such as electric vehicles and solar energy?
- Mario Lopez
On October 10, 1973, Mario Lopez was born in California to Elvira Soledad Trasviña and Mario Alberto López Pérez, both Mexican immigrants who came to the United States in search of better economic opportunities. While Mario Lopez is best known for his role as A.C. Slater in Saved by the Bell, his career in entertainment has lasted over thirty years and involves acting, hosting, singing, and dancing. In appreciation of Lopez’s talents, students can create short skits based on one of the shows Lopez has worked on. A few examples include Dancing with the Stars, Saved by the Bell, Sesame Street, The Smurfs 2, and Pacific Blue.
- Guillermo del Toro
Award-winning director, screenwriter, and artist Guillermo del Toro is acclaimed for both his Spanish- and English-language films. Born on October 9, 1964, in Guadalajara, Mexico, del Toro has stated that he goes back to his birthplace several times a year to visit his family. In 2017, del Toro won the Academy Award for Best Director for his film The Shape of Water. This film is often considered an artistic depiction of his famous quote, “I believe in mankind, as the worst and the best that has happened to this world.” In honor of del Toro’s creativity, invite students to express what this quote means to them through artwork or written expression such as poetry.
By Kelli Drummer-Avendano
Also read:
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Why Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
Celebrating Culture & Diversity: How to Incorporate Hispanic Heritage Month into Your Curriculum
