THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 4, 1996 TAG: 9610040049
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RANDY VAZQUEZ, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 40 lines
FOR 12-YEAR-OLD Stephanie Rivera, spending last Saturday at Mount Trashmore's Hispanic celebration meant being able to speak in her native tongue without getting funny looks or giving explanations.
``All in all, it was great seeing the different Hispanic groups getting together and speaking Spanish,'' the Salem Middle School student said.
``Regardless of age, many people who spoke Spanish are here, laughing, playing and talking together. Just having fun and dancing.''
Rivera joined hundreds in the local celebration which was one of several marking Hispanic Heritage Month which runs through Oct. 15.
Many Hispanics came from all over Hampton Roads and spoke the many different dialects of Spanish. The different cultures are numerous in the area, including Puerto Rican, Dominican, Ecuadorean, Mexican, Cuban, Panamanian.
Many teen-agers listened to salsa, merengue, and even a little bit of American music at the gathering that was not only a celebration but a learning experience.
Jackie Atiles, a 16-year-old Puerto Rican sophomore from Tallwood High in Virginia Beach, said that she attended to learn more about herself and her family's culture.
Osmin Camero, a junior at Cox High School, wanted to meet others like himself.
``I came to meet others in my Latin community,'' said Camero, who is Cuban. ``And also I really liked being able to meet other Hispanic people, because I just moved here from Miami and I'm so used to hanging out with Hispanics.''
Rev. David Gimenez of the Rock Church Love Center in Norfolk helped organize the celebration and was pleased with the turnout, since the only time Hispanics usually congregate is in church, he said.
But students like Rivera were proud to be there.
``It was great seeing all my friends, family and others enjoying themselves and sharing in the Hispanic culture,'' she said. MEMO: Randy Vazquez is a junior at Salem High in Virginia Beach. by CNB