When you think of a high school Personal Health class, topics like nutrition, exercise, or sleep habits might be the first things that come to mind. But healthy living isn't just physical—it's deeply rooted in our culture, identity, and sense of self. Understanding who we are, where we come from, and how our background shapes our daily habits is essential for overall well-being.

To wrap up our unit on culture, identity, and self—and to honor Hispanic Heritage Month—Mr. Ponce-Martinez's class dove into hands-on cultural traditions, exploring both Hispanic Heritage as a whole and his own personal Mexican heritage.

Bringing Culture into the Classroom

We kicked off with two classic Mexican traditions: playing Lotería (a traditional game similar to bingo) and crafting papel picado (intricately cut tissue paper banners).

Beyond being a blast to play and create, these activities served as a springboard for an important conversation: the distinction between Mexican culture and the broader umbrella of Hispanic heritage.

While Mexican traditions are vibrant and widely recognized, Mexican culture is just one subcategory within the diverse tapestry of cultures, countries, and traditions celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month. Clarifying this helped students appreciate the unique nuances of individual cultures rather than viewing Hispanic heritage as a monolith.

To tie the lesson back to each student's personal identity, every student received a custom banner featuring their name—cut out in traditional style—making the learning space feel uniquely theirs.

The Realization: Culture Exists in Everything

As the students worked on their banners and cut-outs, the conversation naturally shifted from high-level cultural concepts to their everyday lives. They began connecting cultural practices to things like family holiday celebrations and dinner table traditions.

One of the most powerful moments of the unit happened when the students reflected on their own backgrounds. While the majority of our class identifies as white, they quickly discovered that "white culture" isn't a single, uniform experience. Each student brought their own distinct family traditions, recipes, stories, and heritage to the table.

They realized that culture isn't something that only belongs to other people—it exists in everything we do.

By exploring identity through shared activities, students built greater empathy for one another, deepened their understanding of self-worth, and learned that embracing your roots is a core component of mental and emotional health.

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