La Noche de Tapas y Bailes

Matthew Burdyck, president of the Gerstell Academy chapter of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (SHH), led Gerstell's SHH members, students, families, and staff in the second annual La Noche de Tapas y Bailes last week. Matthew had conceived the idea in 2019 for this celebration of Hispanic culture offering music and food to raise awareness in an enjoyable format. Planning began last October when the SHH established six sub-committees in which students designed and produced decorations and performances, prepared a menu to represent various Hispanic countries, and created a musical playlist to entice the audience to dance. 
 
The buffet riquísimo (delicious) featured homemade specialties of Sra. Lynda Valedon, Sra. Yania Martinez, Matthew and Mason Burdyck, Hunter Linton, Emma Leonard, Maddie Funk, and Elizabeth Chagalis. “Mocktails” consisted of non-alcoholic Sangría and Mojitos. The family of Miguel Schmidt surprised the SHH with entertainment by Mariachi Rey Azteca. A slideshow chronicled students' travels to Spain, Perú, and Costa Rica. There were Spanish games, a piñata in the Kids’ Corner, a performance of Con quien se queda el perro by Sra. Marly Andino´s 7th grade class, the eighth-graders´ rendition of Bamboleo, and Sr. Taggert´s class rendition of Vivir mi vida. 
  
SHH thanks its diligent and hard-working officers, members and sponsor, Sra. Deborah Doyle, for dedicating their time, talents and treasures to make this event so fun and rewarding. Muchas gracias to all who supported and attended! A special shoutout goes to:
  • The Dillon family for providing the promotional banner and the Basket Raffle.
  • Facilities team for its flawless set-up, led by Mrs. Denise Burdyck and Ms. Angela Sugg.
  • Sra. Marly Andino, Sra. Annie Rochfort and Sr. Jeffrey Taggart for supervising the decorating. 
  • Mrs. Sue Farley for her much-needed assistance during the planning and event. 
  • Sra. Jana Hedrick’s kitchen assistance and to her students who donated chips, salsa and water.
  • Sra. Meghan Hipple for acting as tech-guru and supervisor. 
  • The Schmidt family for bringing the Mariachi band.
  • Mrs. Kathy Seymour for ticket production and sales. 
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