Highlighting Farrell's Cultural Societies
Ms. Gaudiuso and the Hispanic and Latino Cultural Society hosted a candy sale as part of Hispanic Heritage Month, with all proceeds going to charity. Students were able to taste 32 candies from 11 different countries.
Experience, Immersion, And Joy In Monsignor Farrell's Hispanic and Latino and Italian Cultural Societies
It's often said that America is a land of immigrants. Millions of Italians immigrated to New York over decades. In 2020, there were approximately 2.5 million Hispanics in New York City.
Over time, many of these immigrant families have assimilated into American culture. But, while culture can be forgotten as people assimilate, heritage is unerasable.
With this in mind, Ms. Gaudiuso and Ms. Robles founded the Hispanic and Latino Cultural Society and the Italian American Cultural Society, connecting students with the culture of their heritage.
Students wrap up making cannoli in preparations for last year's Monsingor Farrell Christmas Tree Lighting and Nativity Blessing. The Italian Cultural Society will be preparing the sweet treats again for this year's event.
"…We aim to immerse students in the vast cultural wealth, history, arts, music, and traditions of Latin America and Spain," Ms. Gaudiuso said, with similar principles applying for the Italian American Cultural Society.
This immersion takes many forms. In the Italian American Cultural Society, students often attempt to converse in Italian with varying degrees of success. It provides an opportunity for a student to immerse themselves in the language, with the potential to hopefully one day become fluent Italian speakers.
Beyond language, food plays a central role in cultural connection – and no culture has a better reputation for food than Italian culture.
The Italian American Cultural Society prides itself on its bake sales. Traditional Italian American foods, such as Cannoli’s and Rainbow Cookies, are sold by students to raise money for charitable foundations or for the school. One such bake sale will be taking place during the annual Christmas Tree Lighting, where Cannoli's will be made from scratch and filled by students.
"We aim to immerse students in the vast cultural wealth, history, arts, music, and traditions of Latin America and Spain"
- Ms. Gaudiuso, Director for the Hispanic and Latino Cultural Society
The Hispanic and Latino Cultural Society often blends culinary delight with academic study. In a joint lecture with the Archaeology Society, members of both clubs studied Pre-Colombian Civilizations and El Día de Los Muertos. Other lectures include one on influence of pre-Colombian societies on the Spanish language and a dedicated study into the history and culture of Puerto Rico.
The society also hosted a school-wide candy sale featuring 32 varieties of candies from 11 nations, with all proceeds going to charity.
"My desire was to move beyond the daily teaching of vocabulary and grammar," said Ms. Gaudiuso, "[and] to awaken in [students] a deep appreciation for the vast cultural wealth of the Hispanic and Latino world."
Like its Italian counterpart, the Hispanic and Latino Cultural Society will be participating in the Christmas Tree Lighting, selling authentic Churros with Dulce de Leche and Chocolate.
"My desire was to move beyond the daily teaching of vocabulary and grammar, [and] to awaken in [students] a deep appreciation for the vast cultural wealth of the Hispanic and Latino world."
- Ms. Gaudiuso, Director for the Hispanic and Latino Cultural Society
Both societies often treat their members to trips. The Italian American Cultural Society is planning to take an after-school trip to a yet-to-be-determined Italian Restaurant. The Hispanic and Latino Cultural Society plans to visit the Instituto Cervantes and potentially to the Opera.
Although both societies take pride in the Italian or Hispanic heritage of its members, you do not have to share this heritage to participate and learn. For students of Italian or Hispanic heritage, the clubs are a place for people to connect with peers with similar background and to gain a deeper understanding of their roots. For students who don’t share this heritage, however, participation is an opportunity to learn, grow, and gain cultural competency.
Heritage is not just history – it's living culture. Through language, food, study, and shared experiences, these clubs offer students a chance to honor their roots, discover new perspectives, and expand their worldview. The cultural societies offer more than cultural enrichment – they build community where peers can bond over shared heritage, values, or interests.
They remind us that heritage isn't something to be left behind – it's something to be celebrated, explored, and passed on to future generations.
The Lion is Monsignor Farrell's student digital newspaper. To read more articles from The Lion, click here.