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Plainfield East High School held its annual Hispanic Heritage Fair on October 4, bringing together students, staff, and community members to celebrate Hispanic culture. The event was organized by the Latin-American Student Organization (LASO) and the Spanish Honor Society (SHS), and included food, local vendors, and a Ballet Folklórico performance.
Student volunteers from LASO and SHS played a key role in the fair’s success, helping to raise over $1,000 for scholarships aimed at supporting student club leaders.
“Being part of the Hispanic Heritage Fair was such a meaningful experience,” said PEHS senior Aliana Lopez-Gomez. “It was amazing to help bring our community together through the celebration of Hispanic culture. It reminded me how powerful it can be when people come together to celebrate diversity.”
“The Hispanic Heritage Fair would not be possible without the hard work and advocacy of our students,” said PEHS teacher Kady Fairfield Meneses. “Every year, I am so proud of the leadership skills that our students develop throughout months of planning. This event reinforces that they have a voice and that their voice matters.”
Plainfield East High School serves students in grades 9 through 12 in Plainfield and Will County, with an enrollment of 2,162 during the 2019-2020 school year, according to the Illinois Report Card (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). Of these students, the largest group was in grade 10, making up 24.7 percent of the student body (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The school’s population is diverse, with 25.9 percent of students identifying as Hispanic, alongside 42.3 percent white, 15.7 percent black, and 10.7 percent Asian students (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).
The annual fair is one of several events at the school that highlights the diversity of its student body and the leadership of its student organizations.
