Cinco de Mayo is a celebration that may be as widely celebrated in the United States as is St. Patrick's Day. It's not just Latinos who love the day—everyone does. After all, who doesn't love a good taco, some Mariachi music and the bright colors of swirling skirts on beaming children? Over the weekend and on Monday, May 5, there will be several events celebrating the popular day.
At the Wood River Middle School in Hailey there are about 200 Latino students. That's 24 percent of the entire enrollment of the school. But it took an eighth-grade student, Irene Celis of Hailey, to start the first club for Latinos—the United Hispanic Leaders.
Aided by WRMS social Worker Angenie McCleary, the club planned its first public event for Cinco de Mayo.
"They're very excited," McCleary said. "There are 40 members of the club and it's their first time being in a club, planning an event, talking at assemblies. It makes a really big difference for them. They haven't felt like they had useful roles in the school until now. This gives them a chance to shine. Research shows how important it is for teens to feel like they belong at school."
Cinco de Mayo celebrates not Mexican independence day but the day 4,000 Mexican soldiers smashed Napoleon III's undefeated French Army at Puebla, Mexico, in 1862. The biggest celebrations are—not surprisingly—in Puebla each year. But Mexicans in our community find ways to share this unique celebration with others.
"I wanted to build bridges between cultures and find positive opportunities for Latino students," Celis said. "We are doing community service with the elementary school in Bellevue and teaching other students about our culture by doing the Cinco de Mayo. We hope lots of people join us. That would be so great."
Another member, Paty Regalado-Orozco, also an eighth grader, acts as club secretary.
"We like to celebrate Cinco de Mayo," she said. "I want to let people know about our culture so they can learn from us and we can learn from them. We make a big party and eat our type of food. I like the music and the dancing best."
Everyone is invited to join the fun on Monday, May 5, at the Wood River Middle School. There will be music and traditional dancing. The club members are making lots of food but others are invited to bring potluck dishes too. For those who aren't contributing to the feast, the cost is $5 for a family or $2 for an individual. Proceeds will benefit the United Hispanic Leaders.
Cinco de Mayo events
· Cinco de Mayo Assembly: 9:30 a.m., Wood River High School gym, Hailey.
· Blaine County Senior Connection lunch with a performance by Latino dancers from Woodside Elementary. Taco salads and salad bar, 721 Third Ave. S., Hailey. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Details: 788-3468.
· Cinco de May at KBs: 4 p.m. 121 N.Main St., Hailey, Susie Paperie's table with crafts for kids and adults, face painting, tattoos, piñatas and more. Live music by the Ketchum World Beat Street Band. 6 p.m. Rotarun benefit. Details: 578-2085.
· Souper Supper: St. Luke's Yak! and St. Luke's Mujeres Hispanas serve at free community dinner. 4 p.m. St. Charles Parish Hall, 309 First Avenue S., Hailey. Details: 727-8735.
· Cinco de Mayo: Hosted by United Hispanic Leaders club. Bring potluck dish or $5 family, $2 individual. 6 p.m. Wood River Middle School. Hailey.
· Whiskey Jacques, Mexican beer, Margarita specials and a taco bar, Ketchum.
· Quatro de Mayo, at Grumpy's for the 30th Anniversary, Sunday. Ketchum.
Members of the United Hispanic Leaders include, from left to right, Suleima Diaz, Pancho Gomez, Paty Regalado-Orozco, Irene Celis, Angel Velasquez and advisor Angenie McCleary. Photo by David N. Seelig
