Fiesta de la Cultura Hispana will be a vibrant cultural dance event at Crosby High School, bringing to life the traditions, music, and folkloric dances of Spanish-speaking countries. Designed for over 200 students in grades 8–12, the event will immerse participants in authentic cultural experiences that foster global awareness, language learning, and appreciation for diversity. Through live performances, interactive exhibits, and curriculum-aligned activities, students will deepen their understanding of Hispanic heritage while building connections with their community. With this grant’s support, we aim to establish an annual tradition that celebrates cultural pride and enriches student learning for years to come.

Crosby High School, enrolling approximately 2,050 students in grades 9–12 during the 2023–2024 school year, reflects a richly diverse and evolving student population. Within Crosby Independent School District, which serves about 6,854 students district-wide, 21.9% were enrolled in bilingual or English Language Learning (ELL) programs during the same period. This clearly indicates a substantial portion of our community are learning English as an additional language, underscoring the importance of culturally responsive programming. Among this diverse district, roughly over 1,000 students are currently enrolled in Spanish courses across grades 8–12, representing a group highly receptive to, and in need of, deep cultural learning beyond traditional classroom methods. These learners and their peers lack adequate exposure to living linguistic and cultural experiences, which research shows are key to not only language acquisition, but to overall academic motivation. Students' present exposure to Hispanic culture is largely limited to textbooks, videos, or occasional activities. Without immersive experiences we see reduced opportunities for students to build essential cultural competence, empathy, and global awareness, skills increasingly critical in our interconnected world. Culturally responsive education has been linked to higher academic performance, better behavior, and increased engagement (National Education Association). Without intentional live programming, students may view language learning as abstract and disconnected from real-life relevance. The proposed event, Fiesta de la Cultura Hispana, will address this gap directly through a dynamic, immersive cultural dance festival featuring storytelling, regional costumes, live music, and performance by Mixteco Ballet Folklorico. It connects classroom content to lived tradition, reinforcing Spanish language learning while energizing students through authentic cultural expression. The total cost as reflected in the quote is $450, a targeted investment with significant educational yield. 

Students will complete a cultural reflection assignment following the event, with 90% of students demonstrating increased cultural awareness based on a rubric that measures understanding of at least three new cultural concepts (dance, regional identity, language use, historical context). Additionally, a pre- and post-event survey will measure shifts in student interest in language learning and global engagement. With the grant’s support of $450, we will fully fund the folklórico dance presentation and travel costs for the performers (as quoted by Mixteco Ballet Folklorico). All logistical components, including the venue (school auditorium), teacher supervision, and integration into the curriculum, are already secured and planned by our department. The event structure is intentionally designed to be feasible within one school day, making efficient use of school resources and maximizing student participation without interrupting the broader academic schedule. The Spanish Department has previous experience organizing cultural events and will collaborate with administrators and staff to ensure smooth implementation. The project will take place on October 9, 2025. Pre-event classroom instruction will begin two weeks prior (September 22), and post-event assessments and reflections will be completed by October 17, ensuring the event has instructional continuity and a clear timeline for student learning. This event will significantly enhance student learning by providing an authentic, sensory-based opportunity to connect with Hispanic cultures. Research from Americans for the Arts shows that 89% of school administrators report increased student engagement following cultural events. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, culturally rich programs contribute to higher GPAs and graduation rates. These benefits are especially critical in diverse schools like ours, where students thrive on meaningful, inclusive content. This project supports Crosby ISD’s mission of personalizing learning by addressing varied student backgrounds and learning styles through cultural exploration. It also aligns with our Campus Improvement Plan’s goals of enhancing equity, engagement, and real-world application of academic content. The integration of social-emotional learning, cultural understanding, and interdisciplinary content (language, music, history) makes this project a powerful model of 21st-century education.