BY DARRELL HALEN

When Madison Mondejar struck a piñata with a stick and candy spewed out onto the floor, her classmates went wild.

It was part of a fun and colorful Mexican fiesta Madison and other third-graders celebrated on Friday, May 4, in their Pelham Elementary School classroom.

They were getting exposed to Mexican culture by observing Cinco de Mayo – “The Fifth of May” in Spanish – a celebration of Mexican pride and heritage.

The holiday commemorates the victory of Mexican forces over the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862 – part of Mexico’s fight for independence.

Helping to break open the piñata during the students’ festival was the favorite part of Madison’s day.
“I like how the candy flew out of it,” she said.

For lunch, Madison enjoyed a lunch of nachos, refried beans and a taco. Dessert was a piece of a sombrero-shaped cake.

The students each made a piñata bag to collect their candy, a magnetic photo frame, a Mexican necklace and a Mexican flower.

Each flower was created by folding and fanning out eight layers of light-colored tissue and using a pipe cleaner as its stem.

“Your mother will be very happy when you give that to her today,” parent volunteer Sue Jozokos said to student Eric Hayes.

Eric’s mother, Judy, was also helping out that day, including dispensing cups of a version of Sangria – grape juice with orange slices.

Stephen Babcock, 8, gave the flower he made to his mother, Karen, another volunteer in the classroom.
“Muchas gracias – that means thank you very much,” she said to him.     

Prior to the festival, the class read the book “The Piñata Maker.”

Ordinarily, teacher Robin Andrews would follow up the reading by providing her students with a piñata, and nacho chips and salsa.

But this year, Jozokos organized a full festival with the help of other parents.

“She did it all,” said Andrews. “I just get to enjoy it.”

During the afternoon, some students took turns wearing a sombrero, a Mexican-style hat. Caitlyn Sawicki, a Pelham High School senior interning in the classroom, led the kids in the Mexican Hat Dance.

Mandi Barton, 9, and Collin Loring, 8, said they both enjoyed learning about Mexico. Mandi particularly enjoyed making a picture frame and Collin liked trying to break the donkey-shaped piñata.

“We like to read, but we also like to experience in the classroom,” said Andrews, who wore a serape, a multicolored shawl. “Doing hands-on activity leaves an imprint. Reading is important but experiencing it is important, too.”