Mexican Independence Day raises scholarship funds

Folk dancers performed throughout the day at Saturdays Mexican Independence Day celebration.

The Elmore County Hispanic Organization (ECHO) raised more than $1,200 for scholarships during Saturday's Mexican Independence Day Celebration at Optimist Park.

Between 300 and 350 people attended the day of games, dancing and music. The day featured a watermelon eating contest, a jalapeņo eating contest, dance performances by local and regional Hispanic folk dance troupes, and a piņata breaking event for the kids.

In addition, the Mountain Home Public Library handed out books to children.

"The dance was very well attended," said ECHO President Debbie Brito, "and all the vendors said they were very happy with the turnout."

During the opening ceremonies for the celebration of Mexico's traditonal independence day on Sept. 16 of each year, Mayor Joe B. McNeal discussed the nature of freedom and offered his praise for the men and women serving in the armed forces overseas. He also praised the families of those troops for the sacrifices they make.

McNeal went on to urge people to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina, saying that "when a disaster befalls us, it takes our freedom away."

State Sen. Tim Corder described the contributions of area Hispanics to the area and to Idaho.

A farmer for 35 years, Corder noted that "I can't remember a time when there weren't Hispanic people working around me in the fields.

"Idaho wouldn't be Idaho without its Hispanic population.

"Everything we eat today has had an Hispanic hand touch it" somewhere along the food production line. "That's a tremendous value."

But Corder also noted that increasingly machines are doing the work of field hands and that is putting a premium on improving educational opportunities for Hispanic children.

Freedom, he said, is based on choices. "If you choose to be a ditch digger or a truck driver, that's fine, as long as that's your choice. But not if that is all that is left to you."

Pointing to a young man in the audience, Corder encouraged all Hispanic youth to seek high goals. "He could be governor, or a senator, or even hold my seat" in the state legislature, Corder said. "He could be anything he wants to be, but he has to go to school and stay in school.

"I don't want to see (Hispanic children) in that trap" where they can only do what is available, not what they want to do.

"I have great respect for our Hispanics. They have made great contributions to Idaho. But even more are the contributions I hope to see them make in the future."