Mineola ISD’s fourth annual Fiesta event held on April 24 provided close to 200 Spanish-speaking families with information, food, entertainment, and prizes. Several community organizations sent representatives and provided Spanish-language materials for attendees at this fully Spanish-language event.
District Bilingual/ESL Program Coordinator Annette Pecorino welcomed the families at the Primary School cafeteria, which sported festive decorations including pinatas created by Mineola High School students. Other high school students provided numerous interactive activities for the younger children, including board games and face painting.
After thanking Superintendent Cody Mize, Assistant Superintendent Chase Thomas, and Curriculum Director Melisia Foster for their support in making the event a success, Mrs. Pecorino invited the soccer team and Coach Eddie Godina to the front of the cafeteria, where she recognized them for their hard work, dedication, and team spirit.
The soccer team then joined the younger students in the gymnasium to teach them soccer skills.
Community organizations, including Region 7, the Hand Up Network, Cooperative Teachers Credit Union, and Sand Springs Baptist Church, attended the event to discuss services they provide. Mineola Primary School teacher Wendi Gowan discussed her free English classes for adults and offered a sign up page for anyone interested. City National Bank, Farm Bureau Insurance, and Lone Star Realty also had tables that provided information and sign-ups for prizes.
The Folkloric Legacy of Mineola performed for the crowd and several door prizes donated by Taco Bell, Sonic of Mineola, and Mrs. Gowan were given away.
Mrs. Foster said, “Fiesta night is one of those events you genuinely look forward to every year. Families and students walk away with relevant information that supports their needs.”
Pecorino, who is also bilingual, organized the event. “The event gets better with more participation each year,” she said. “It is exciting to see our families enjoy themselves while also receiving valuable information.”