By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

”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.

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Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.