Rajshekhar Basu Sarkar
eSomethin staff
Have you heard of Perrysburg’s Spanish Heritage class?
Well, Tricia Myers, whom the students refer to as “Profe,” teaches this class at Perrysburg High School.
Myers said that “anyone can take it if they are a native or heritage Spanish speaker.”
Profe Myers said, “a gap that exists in the curriculum for heritage or native speakers… the heritage and native Spanish speakers were placed with students who were learning Spanish as a second language.”
Prior to a class specifically for heritage speakers, Spanish-speaking students used to be placed in Spanish 1. They had to learn things they already knew, such as learning how to say their names, the Spanish alphabet.
Myers said, “Think about going to another country and being placed in an English 1 course. The heritage and spanish speaking students have a class that doesn’t necessarily focus on grammar but on culture instead. We study topics like dual identities, language function.”
Myers said the class has been successful in creating a community of heritage and native speakers who can count on and identify with each other.”
Alec Robert, a senior at Perrysburg High School of Mexican heritage, said that “Hispanic heritage month shows recognition to our culture.”
Robert celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by going to a Cuban restaurant. Robert says he has nothing to hide as his family puts out the Day of the Dead decor during Halloween.
Roberts said he thinks “it’s cool we have people that have different cultures/languages. We get to learn how their life was there, how their family was there.”
Jenimar Pagan Perez, a senior at Perrysburg High School who is of Puerto Rican heritage said that “Hispanic heritage month is just like a month to show off a bunch of people’s different cultures.”
She said she “feels special” as she can “speak many different languages.” Pagan Perez said she celebrated Hispanic Heritage month by hearing “other people’s stories.” She also said she really enjoys Heritage Class.
“You learn about other people’s cultures. You have people from Peru – it’s not just about my other culture – I get to speak Spanish as well,” Pagan Perez said.
Fabricio Vasquez, a freshman from Peru, said about Hispanic heritage month that it is “really a special place.” He said we “get to do fun stuff” during Hispanic Heritage month.
Vasquez said “I eat special foods that my mom makes; I like something called to mo saltado.”
He said in Heritage class “We get to do fun stuff. We get to celebrate our countries.”
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