Hispanic students at All Souls World Language Catholic School in Alhambra have a new role model to look up to — the city’s first Latina mayor.
On Oct. 3, Mayor Adele Andrade-Stadler joined students at the K-8 dual language school in their annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. She shared the story of her Hispanic heritage with students — her grandparents came to the United States from the Chihuahua region of northern Mexico during the Mexican Revolution in the 1920s. As a third-generation American, Andrade-Stadler told the students how proud she is of her culture and her language.
Each class performed a traditional song or dance, or presented geographic history, to celebrate the many Latin and Hispanic countries represented in the student body. “All Souls enjoys a very diverse student body representing Asian, African, European and Latin American origins,” explained principal Dr. Carrie Fuller. “We welcome the opportunity to bring all of our students and families together to celebrate culture and learn to appreciate our differences.”
The mayor presented an official commendation from the City of Alhambra to the faculty and students for their work in dual language studies. All Souls is the only two-track (Mandarin/English and Spanish/English) dual language Catholic School in the United States. Their unique curriculum includes transitional-kindergarteners (TK) that start at age four, all the way up to eighth grade. The first dual language class of 8th graders graduated last June.
“It is precious to see our youngest kids begin their dual-language journey with glee and it’s gratifying to hear the older students speak Spanish with confidence,” said Sara Montrose, parent of students in kindergarten and third grade.
