Celebrating Cinco de Mayo at J. Colin Elementary
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo is always an all-day event at J. Colin English Elementary.
The annual celebration is colorful, with activities, dancing, food and fun.
The school’s Carmen Marquez keeps the action going, and this year was again a great success.
“We’d like to thank our sponsors. They are Publix, Costco, McDonald’s on Pine Island Road and the Tortillera America in East Fort Myers,” she said.
Family and friends always attend, including father Julio Vargas with sister Jennifer Mendozo to see Jainell Vargas at the celebration.
“Kids need to know what Cinco de Mayo really means,” said Julio Vargas.
The misconception is that it is Mexico’s Independence Day, but it actually celebrates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French Army in the Battle of Pueblo in 1862.
Despite the semantics, it does mean good food, fun and dancing.
Aunt Jennifer Mendozo said she was proud of her niece, Jainell, as part of the festivity.
“She practices all the time for this,” she said of the big dance number.
Lyn Carlson and the Calendar Girls group helped students celebrate the event. Besides performing at various events, the group has been providing guide dogs for veterans since 2006.
“This is an annual festivity were we celebrate the Mexican holiday,” assistant principal Toni Walker said. “We embrace various cultures, and this is a great learning experience.”
In the time leading up to the celebration, numerous lessons are intertwined with the event.
“We are also very happy to report that 100 percent of our students passed the FCAT writing scores this year,” she said. “My staff and students, I believe, are the best in the county.”
There is also a new PTO at the school this year.
“Our parents and support staff will do anything for our students. They are amazing,” she said.
The school will host the upcoming North Fort Myers Relay For Life on May 21 and 22. For information on the event, call the American Cancer Society at 936-1113.