Whether traditional or cultural, education was the main focal point of activities in downtown Emporia as part of the community’s annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Saturday.
As always, the event, hosted in cooperation between Hispanics of Today and Tomorrow and Emporia Main Street, featured a variety of food, music and the awarding of more than $22,000 in HOTT scholarships, a record-setting number surpassing last year’s total of just over $13,000. HOTT President Mike Torres says that while all aspects of the celebration are important, the presentation is always at the center, as it highlights the importance of continued education and showcases the unlimited support local students have from their community.
Torres also says that the scholarship presentation is an important part of a cycle in the local community that starts at a young age.
In addition to highlighting the importance of traditional education, Torres says the event also carries with it a strong cultural component, and not just in terms of the holiday itself. While rooted in Mexican culture, Torres says over the years the Emporia celebration has become a spotlight event for many Latin American populations that call Emporia home.
Emporia Main Street Director Casey Woods says it is important for individuals to embrace the “unique elements of their community,” and from Main Street’s perspective, it is critical to emphasize that downtown Emporia “belongs to everyone.”
Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration commemorating Mexico’s defeat of the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1856.
Click here for a YouTube Short from Saturdays activities.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
