\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Young students at Harmony Science Academy in Brownsville were excited and engaged as a special guest visited their campus to present about Hispanic Heritage Month and what it means to be proud of Latino culture.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On Wednesday morning, 51ÁÔÆæ Board of Trustee Secretary Alejandra Aldrete, M.Ed. took time to speak, present and inspire elementary school students on Harmony’s campus.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI felt proud to be invited,\u201d Aldrete said. \u201cOur students in elementary school are our future leaders. We need to embrace them and embrace them now. We want them to feel proud about who they are so that they know nothing is going to stop them. It doesn\u2019t matter what background you have. It\u2019s about accepting who you are and owning it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Aldrete, who has been a part of the education sector for over a decade, showed her passion for young scholars. Her presentation included a video identifying Hispanic and Latin American nations to help students understand the bigger geographical picture.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The students also learned some new dance moves as Aldrete taught salsa moves before playing music by legendary Cuba-born Salsa artist Celia Cruz.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI have memories of celebrating Hispanic Heritage back since I was a toddler so it\u2019s nice to keep the tradition going,\u201d Aldrete said. \u201cMy mother was part of the rotary club in Matamoros. We would have an annual dress-up day and parade where all the children would wear clothes from different countries.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Aldrete\u2019s mother, Olga Martha Aldrete, was in attendance and was recognized for her support of her daughter through the years.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Family values were a big theme of the presentation. Students jumped out of their seats when asked if they had helped their families make tamales, eaten elote or attended a Quinceanera.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Aldrete also talked about her upbringing. Like many of the students in the audience and all throughout Brownsville, she crossed the international bridge every day to achieve her education. Neither of her parents spoke English but they instilled a strong importance in perseverance.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Her mom\u2019s favorite phrase? \u201cSi tu quieres, tu puedes\u201d which translates to \u201cif you want to, you can.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Aldrete has since graduated from high school and twice from higher education institutions with a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Along with her career in education, she began a classic car rental business and most recently won her seat on the TSC Board of Trustees in November 2020.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “Our people are very close to family. We embrace family values,” Aldrete said. “We make tamales together, and we listen to music and dance at family reunions. Sundays are very important for hispanic families as we gather together and get to spend time with our grandparents, tias, tios, cousins and other extended family as well. It’s important to touch on all of those values and traditions so that our future generations can feel proud and embrace of where we come from …. no matter where they go.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ admin_label=”Flickr Embed”]![\"TSC](\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/52408888424_6d0990f9f7_c.jpg\")
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