Michelle Rodriguez, an Arizona College Prep Middle School social studies teacher, looks toward Chandler Unified School District Superintendent Frank Narducci during a recognition ceremony. …
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I am anchor
EDUCATION
Chandler Schools recognize Hispanic heritage
Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks
Michelle Rodriguez, an Arizona College Prep Middle School social studies teacher, looks toward Chandler Unified School District Superintendent Frank Narducci during a recognition ceremony. CUSD’s Governing Board recognized Hispanic Heritage Month at its Sept. 11 meeting, including recognizing standout CUSD employees of Hispanic heritage.
”My name is Patti Serrano and I am Hispanic excellence.”
That’s how one Chandler Unified School District Governing Board member introduced herself Sept. 11 when Hispanic Heritage Month was acknowledged at a CUSD board meeting.
Several students introduced themselves the same way, including those who collectively read the 1960s Chicano struggle poem “I am Joaquin” by Rodolfo Corky Gonzales.
Perry High School Principal Heather Patterson’s daughter emceed the event and introduced the poem readers.
Patterson herself later called up three Perry High School CUSD positive-impact employees of Hispanic heritage to be recognized: Rose Escalante, a paraeducator; lead custodian Ulysses Uranda and football coach Joseph Ortiz.
Also honored were Arizona College Prep Middle School social studies teacher Michelle Rodriguez, who was introduced and praised by ACPMS Principal Manjula Reddy.
Serrano, the board member, enthusiastically read a short bio and praise of Rudy G. Bologna Elementary School Principal Patty Chinchilla.
Sibling CUSD students Emma and Levi Hernandez, of ACP Middle School and Chandler Traditional Academy-Liberty, respectively, then performed a traditional folklorico dance, capped by a loud ovation in the packed boardroom.
Dr. Adama Sallu, CUSD’s director of equity and inclusion, oversaw the presentation.
Rudy G. Bologna Elementary School Principal Patty Chinchilla smiles while hearing praise and standing next to Chandler Unified School District Superintendent Frank Narducci during a Hispanic Heritage Month recognition ceremony.
Emma Hernandez performs a traditional folklorico dance at a recent Chandler Unified School District Hispanic Heritage Month event.
Ulysses Uranda, lead custodian at Perry High School, smiles and shows off a certificate as he walks behind Chandler Unified School District Superintendent Frank Narducci during a Hispanic Heritage Month event.
Levi Hernandez performs a traditional folklorico dance at a recent Chandler Unified School District Hispanic Heritage Month event.
Rose Escalante, a paraeducator at Perry High School, smiles and shakes hands with Chandler Unified School District Superintendent Frank Narducci during a Hispanic Heritage Month recognition event.
Perry High School football coach Joesph Ortiz smiles at Chandler Unified School District Superintendent Frank Narducci during a Hispanic Heritage Month event.
A group of Chandler Unified School District students prepare to individually read a few lines from the 1960s Chicano struggle poem “I am Joaquin,” by Rodolfo Corky Gonzales, during a Hispanic Heritage Month event.
We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org.
Jason W. Brooks Associate Editor
Jason W. Brooks is a News editor for the Daily Independent and the Chandler Independent.
He covers the Chandler area for both yourvalley.net and the monthly print edition while writing for and assisting in the production of the Daily Independent.
Brooks is a well-traveled journalist who has documented life in small American communities in nearly all U.S. time zones.
Born in Washington, D.C. and raised there and in suburban Los Angeles, he has covered community news in California, New Mexico, Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska and northern Arizona.
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