Latin music was sprinkled into the Georgetown High School prom playlist this weekend for the first time, which resulted in a larger number of the school’s hispanic students attending this year’s celebration.
The addition was the result of an effort by the school’s Cultural Connections club. Jesse Howell, a teacher sponsor of the Cultural Connections club, asked the club’s students if they were going to prom. Most of the students said they hadn’t bought tickets because they weren’t interested in the music played.
Amanda Castelan, a student in the club, suggested they not just complain and that they write a letter. The students came up with a list of 15 songs, including reggaeton, latin pop and cumbia music.
Then, Mr. Howell and Ms. Castelan went and spoke to school administrators who were supportive of the idea.
“I like the diversification, because 30 percent of our students here at the high school are Latino. I think that we should give voice to their music that they like,” said Mr. Howell.
The administration agreed to the students’ request.
“What is really important is that the administration took it seriously [and] in a really positive way. They heard the voice that the students used at that moment,” said Nerleidy Rivera, an ESL paraprofessional at GISD. “We encourage our students to express the feelings they have.”