Mineola ISD’s third annual Fiesta event provided close to 200 Spanish-speaking families with information, food and prizes on Friday, April 25.

The event was exclusively in Spanish with several community organizations who provided representatives and Spanish materials for the attendees.

District Bilingual/ESL Program Coordinator Annette Pecorino welcomed the families at the new Primary School cafeteria which had festive decorations including pinatas and floral arrangements created by Mineola High School students.

Other high school students provided numerous interactive activities for the younger children, including musical chairs and face painting in the gymnasium.

After thanking Superintendent Cody Mize and Curriculum Director Melisia Foster for their support in keeping the event successful, Pecorino called the soccer team and Coach Shelby Turner to the front of the cafeteria, honoring them for earning the bidistrict championship title this year.

The soccer team then went outside to the playground where they played soccer with the younger children who attended.

The guest speaker, Director Gilbert Urbina Jr. of the Hispanic American Association of East Texas, discussed updated immigration laws and updates.

He advised the guests to keep informed of the laws and cautioned them about listening to people on social media.

Community service organizations, including Region 7, the Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center, the Hand Up Network, Estepoder.org and Sand Springs Baptist Church, also attended the event to discuss services they provide.

Mineola Primary School teacher Wendi Gowan also discussed her ESL for adult classes for parents to sign up.

City National Bank also had a table which provided information and they had a raffle for a backpack.

During the meal of street tacos provided by Jorgies, attendees had the opportunity to visit the community resource tables to receive free items and information.

More than 60 door prizes were given away, including gift cards donated by Chick-Fil-A, Whataburger, Taco Bell, Tomatillos and Bryan’s Cheesecakes. The flower arrangements made by the floral design group at the high school also were given as prizes.

Superintendent Mize said, “The Fiesta event has become a great opportunity for our community to come together and share culture, gather information, and have a great meal. Each year only gets better and better.”

Pecorino, who is also bilingual, organized the event. “I love seeing all the families attend our event and know that we are here for them,” she said. “It is a reward in itself to help others.”

(Submitted by Annette Pecorino)