To honor the diverse cultures and identities of the Hispanic and Latin communities within the dance program, Lead Dance Teacher Nicole Nothe has brought students together every year since 2022 for a photo in which they each hold their respective Hispanic country’s flag.

“The most inspiring part of the Liberty High School Dance Department is the diversity of the students and the variety of the cultural dance experiences they get to share with their classmates,” Nothe said. “Students are proud of their heritage, and supporting and allowing the dancers to represent themselves with their flag allows the dance department to learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month in relation to dance and their classmates.

The department’s efforts to celebrate Hispanic culture don’t stop at taking yearly photos. Instead, the dance program continues its celebration throughout Hispanic Heritage Month by embracing Latin dance traditions and cultural education.

“Hispanic Heritage Month in dance is celebrated by decorating the studio and dance hallways with flags and educational Latin dance posters,” Nothe said. “The dance teachers open up each class with a new Latin dance form. For example, the students have learned about the following dance forms: Ballet Folklorico (Mexico), Tango (Argentina), Samba (Brazil), Flamenco (Spain), Merengue (Dominican Republic), and more to come! To close up Heritage Hispanic Month, we have scheduled a master class instructor to teach the dance department Ballet Folklorico choreography. The dance classes will learn a traditional skirt dance from Jalisco.”

“Since there aren’t many Brazilians in our school, it’s nice to represent my country through these pictures and the things we learn about in dance.”

“It means a lot to me to represent my country, even in the smallest ways, always holding its name high. These photos carry a deep significance for me.”

“It feels good [to represent my country] through the things we do in dance because, at home, I don’t speak Spanish very well, so being able to represent my identity at school makes me feel better about myself and gives me a chance to represent my culture.”

“I feel like this [flag-holding] tradition helps me have a voice in dance.”

“I feel like there’s not that many Hispanics at our school, and we’re a minority, so it feels good to know that the dance department acknowledges Hispanic Heritage Month and tries their best to represent us.”

“Even though it’s only my first year in dance, being represented in such a meaningful way already makes me feel like part of a family. My heritage has never been highlighted like this in any class before, so seeing it celebrated here fills me with pride for who I am and where I come from.”