My name is Filomena Hernandez and I am a senior attending Lane Tech High School. My love for Lane has grown over the years as it has shown me the importance of community and it has brightened the image I had of how scary high school would be.

Throughout my last three years and going into my fourth, I’ve realized that Lane Tech is a community, and this community is about bringing students together with culture and open spaces, which is what makes this school special. At Lane Tech, our students come from different backgrounds and cultures, but one thing for certain is our students will always have a place to be themselves, accepted, loved, and cared for. Lane students stick together through any situation that may affect students, whether it is a few or many students. There’s always support that is available and compassion that brings the community back together and builds a stronger bond.

With the support that our school administration provides, Lane students are able to express themselves. Whether it is culture or hobbies, there’s always something for everyone. Among all the clubs that we have, I run my own called ‘Together We Thrive’. The reason why I started a club to begin with was because I knew there were others who were potentially struggling to get around the school or wanted a safe space that they can use to distract themselves from whatever they may be going through, similar to my situation.

As a Latina student, I’ve always shown out for my culture. It started off sophomore year with a Day of the Dead workshop, where students from any background learn and create a picture frame for a beautiful picture of their passed loved ones, to be remembered on our school ofrenda in our Main Office. This past school year, my club and I were able to redo our Day of the Dead workshop, but also start something big called the Piñata workshop for Hispanic Heritage Month, allowing students to open their experiences and learn how to make a piñata from scratch and why it is used in Hispanic celebrations. This beautiful event got recognition by WGN, and behind cameras, we were able to show the reporters an insight of what our students did at the last workshop they missed!

Lastly, my club and wonderful students here at Lane were able to collaborate and bring students together for an ICE protest. Students and teachers supported one another during our current harsh government conditions and spoke out against the wrongdoings of what is going on in the world and our city. This comes to show the type of love and people Lane has within their building. These students are proud Lane students and proud of who they are and what they stand for.

Coming into my last year of high school, I want to celebrate one last time for Hispanic Heritage Month, one last event for students to see the hard work the Hispanic community brings and to celebrate HHM with music and dancing, two big things that bring my culture together. Our Banda night event is estimated to be set in September near the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, where students will be presented with live music from a lovely Banda woman-led and organized. All funds raised from this event will go entirely to a non-profit in Illinois that helps immigrants who need assistance in getting SNAP, housing, food, clothes, etc. Thank you for your time and any donations given!