Third Annual Latinx Summit Empowers Student Voices and Celebrates Expanded Community Partnerships

Over 180 students participated in D155’s third annual Latinx Summit at McHenry County Community College on Friday, October 16. Students from across the district had an opportunity to honor Latinx traditions, hear students' voices, and have conversations that strengthen their school community. 

"The Latinx Summit provides students across the district with the opportunity to highlight their culture through conversations and activities about Latinx heritage and take leadership in presenting their story with our community," said Kimberly Bromley, Director of Multilingual Services and Family Engagement.

Superintendent Dr. Neil Lesinski kicked off the summit, welcoming attendees and celebrating the students and staff who planned and organized the event. Students performed baile forklórico, a traditional Mexican and Latin American folk dance form. 

Attendees spent the rest of the summit rotating through student-led sessions on cultural traditions and history, panels on dual credit and college opportunities, and time to connect with other students at lunch and at the end of the summit. Students were encouraged throughout each session to share their thoughts about how the session connected them to their Latin heritage.

“What meant the most to me was hearing students share that the summit and our activities encouraged them to feel more confident and proud of their Latin heritage,” said Isabella Hernandez, a Crystal Lake Central senior and session leader. “Knowing that we could create that kind of impact made the experience especially meaningful to me.” 

Ten student-led sessions were planned by members of Latino Leadership and Spanish clubs at each District 155 high school, along with help from their activity directors. Students were challenged to create events that were inclusive to all Latinx countries and focused on events and traditions that unite the region. Each planned session focused around a game, pop culture quiz, or activity that would make participants think about a tradition and the significance it held for those who regularly participate in them. 

"Students led the planning of the summit, collaborating on student-led events like myth and legends, Día de los Muertos crafts, and tortilla making to engage visitors on shared traditions throughout Latinx countries,” said Bromley. 

Students like Jezabel Martinez, a Crystal Lake Central senior, saw taking a leadership role in organizing the summit and planning a student-led session as an opportunity to share her story and motivate first-generation students looking to create their own educational and professional pathway. 

“My role in the summit led me to understand the kind of passion I have for people like me,” said Martinez. “For most of us who are first-generation and creating a pathway for future first-generation students to come, it means something to be able to show them what’s possible.”

Participants in the summit, whether in a leadership role or as an attendee, were able to make meaningful connections with students who share a similar background and culture and created a deeper sense of belonging within the student body at each District 155 school.