Leaders of Sussex Academy’s World Language Honor Society have adopted an interactive way to celebrate the history, cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans during this year’s observance of Hispanic Heritage Month.

The month, observed annually from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, allows honor society members to connect with students and staff to spread awareness of cultural icons.

This year, the honor society led by President Olivia Dickerson, Vice President Caroline White, Secretary Rossy Angel Herrera, Treasurer Brooklyn Montgomery and Historian Reagan Hastings, launched a Spanish bingo game for all to play.

Each day, a new biography is posted in the hallway outside Spanish teacher Nico Caceres’s classroom. The biography is written in easy-to-understand English so that participants can find the square on their bingo card that matches the description of that person, and write that person’s name in the corresponding square.

Once they have a bingo, participants can turn in the card to Caceres or fellow Spanish teacher Emily Gutierrez, both of whom advise the World Language Honor Society, for a prize.

To be eligible for the World Language Honor Society, students must meet certain academic and behavior requirements, including enrollment in a world language course and maintaining a GPA above 85%, before applying for membership each November.

Members must also complete service hours related to world language throughout the year to help spread cultural awareness. Student officers are selected through an application process in which they demonstrate strong leadership, responsibility and dedication to the organization.

Throughout the year, the World Language Honor Society hosts events such as Día de Muertos and culture day, and engages in projects that support Latin communities, such as the Pulsera Project, in which Central American artists connect with students in more than 3,800 U.S. schools through the sale of colorful hand woven bracelets, or “pulseras” in Spanish.

Members also visit Sussex Academy Elementary each year to give colorful presentations and provide hands-on cultural activities for younger students.

📷 : Members of the Sussex Academy World Language Honor Society created a bingo game to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Gathered are (l-r) advisor Nico Caceres, Caroline White, Olivia Dickerson, Rossy Angel-Herrera, Reagan Hastings, Brooklyn Montgomery and advisor Emily Gutierrez.