The long-awaited Hispanic Heritage Showcase took place Oct. 28, where family and friends joined together to honor the rich traditions, music, and dance offered by the Hispanic culture. Directed by Charter’s dance teacher, Ms. Cordova, and hosted by senior Kimberly Lopez, the showcase represented dozens of Hispanic countries through talented performances and vibrant costumes.
The show commenced with the Latin Dance Team performing a mix of salsa, bachata, and merengue, three popular dances among many Hispanic countries. Each of Ms. Cordova’s dance periods represented a country, beginning with Spain, a rich country located in Europe and known for its powerful red and yellows and its undeniable love for flamenco. Next came Mexico with colorful green and red skirts, and sombreros to embrace their rich heritage.
Venezuela’s white and yellow clothing and quick footwork dances quickly became a staple of the night, incorporating elegant turns and dips that vibrated throughout the audience. Soon after came Puerto Rico, known as the Island of Enchantment, with its mix of Taino, African, and Spanish roots. Through the beats of salsa and dance, the rich history of the island expands to generations through its music.
Pembroke Pines Charter High School’s Latin Dance team dominated the stage with their talented performances and advanced footwork that matched the energetic and expressive beats of Latin culture. To continue the traditional spirits of movement and energy, dozens of students danced on the platform and wrapped around the stage to perform Zumba, a dance that originates from Colombia and mixes Latin and international music to meet the fast-paced and dynamic movements of this special dance.
Dominican Republic’s bachata, Colombia’s steady and hypnotic dances, and Cuba’s salsa and rumba captivated the stage with passionate movements following the percussion instruments. Wrapping up with Charter’s first-ever collaboration between the Latin Dance Team and the Dance Team performing on stage together, a symbol of unity between these teams, which goes hand and hand with the solidarity shared among Hispanic culture.
Many danced not just for themselves, but for “my parents and all of those who don’t get the privilege of moving to the United States for a better life. As a senior, I’m beyond grateful that I get to represent my country in a way that I love one last time,” senior Kaitlyn Oramas wholeheartedly expresses.
Through each performance and every country represented, cheers vibrated throughout the room and shook excitedly throughout the air. The showcase ended with a grand finale of all dance classes and teams coming out together and filling the room with flags from Hispanic countries found across the world.
“I feel that the showcase truly expressed all of the Hispanic cultures in such a beautiful way. I also loved how all of the countries came together in the finale to show the united and beautiful heritage we truly are,” describes sophomore Armani Hernandez.
This show took months to plan and execute, with countless hours spent practicing at school and at home. Working to create the choreographies, plan the outfits, and practice the script was no easy task.
“Being that we had performances back to back, we all wanted to make sure each performance looked its best for the students, faculty, and parents watching the show,” explains senior dance captain Kyra Theodore. Through endless practices and constant dedication, putting on this showcase was “definitely a challenge, but we were able to do it and in the end put on a great show.”
From the vibrant traditional clothing to carefully choreographed dances, the 2025 Hispanic Heritage Showcase was a joyful celebration of culture, rhythm, and unity between Charter’s beloved Hispanic community. ¡Que viva la herencia hispana!
