GCHS Hosts Its Third El Baile to Promote Culture Awareness

Alicia Sanchez

GCHS hosted its third annual El Baile this year in November.

Great Crossing High School’s El Baile has quickly become one of the most anticipated events of the year. This isn’t just a regular school dance; it’s a full-on celebration of Hispanic music, culture, and a chance to bring the diverse student body of GCHS together. This year’s El Baile was held on November 8th, 2024.

Planning for El Baile began months in advance, with students and teachers dedicating time and resources to make the event memorable. This year, the dance committee chose a Jaripeo (rodeo) theme, and the cafeteria was decorated with hay bales, wooden pallets and several photo spots that reflected the theme.  

Junior Ellen Zamerane was involved in the planning of the event and enjoyed attending. She said “It’s so much more fun than other dances. There are piñatas, delicious food, plenty of dancing, and, in my opinion, the best music.”

The tradition of holding an El Baile started two years ago when Spanish teacher Tia Beltz and her AP students were talking about events they’d love to see at school. “I’m a Spanish teacher, and I have a lot of Hispanic students,” she explained. “A few years ago, my AP students and I were talking about planning events to fulfill a need in our school community.” 

Students shared with Beltz that the traditional high school events didn’t always appeal to students of diverse backgrounds.  Beltz recalled when some of her current students shared that they didn’t plan to attend prom because it wasn’t part of their cultural traditions.  They suggested to Beltz that the school host an El Baile, which is very popular in Hispanic culture. 

That one conversation got everything rolling. “That was in 2022, and that was our very first Baile,” Beltz said. “The first year, we could only have Great Crossing students attend. Last year, it opened to Scott County students, and this year, all three high schools and guests were welcome.”

El Baile isn’t just about dancing; it’s about bringing students from all backgrounds together to celebrate music and culture. For many, like freshman Cheyanne Chavez, the event was a special way to connect with her roots and experience different cultures. “I’m half Hispanic, and it’s part of my culture, and I really like the music and the energy,” Chavez shared. “It’s a way to connect with other people’s culture and see what they like about their culture and how they live.”

Students that attended the El Baile had positive feedback on the event. “I had a great time because there are so many positive people,” Chavez said. “It’s just a great energy overall. I most definitely would recommend El Baile to other students. It’s a way to meet people and connect with their culture,” she added.

Zamerane felt the same way about how inclusive the event was. “I think it’s the fact that it’s more inclusive, and a lot of people can get to know each other, especially different cultures,” she said. “It’s really great for students not in these cultures to experience them.”

The El Baile has grown into an event that is meaningful to the Great Crossing community. Beltz stated “The students have really responded positively to the dance. I think it’s a place where they can showcase their culture and share it with others,” she said. For many Latino students, it’s a moment to feel seen and valued. “They feel important because there’s something that’s only about them, and it should be only about them.”