Principal Dr. John Finan ‘87 established the “comunidad de familias hispanohablantes” last fall for Spanish-speaking parents at Fenwick. Designed to “create a supportive environment for multilingual families,” the group also hosted informative presentations and cultural celebrations throughout the school year.
Guest speakers, musical performances and traditional food were among the highlights of its first year, but it’s the shared experience and palpable camaraderie among members that makes parents excited about the organization’s future.
“Being a part of this group has allowed me to meet other Fenwick parents with similar backgrounds,” said Ximena Leonardi, who presented about her time dancing the Bolivian dance caporales in the 1992 World Cup at Soldier Field. “Being a first-generation Bolivian American, I was happy to meet other Fenwick parents like me. I love that we all speak Spanish!”
Dr. Finan is “very proud” of what the group has accomplished so far. “We are off to a great start in pursuing the objectives that formed the basis of this initiative, from promoting the continued study of Spanish for university studies and professional usage to supporting the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy initiative.”
It was also important for the comunidad to provide programming that represents the cultural traditions and diverse roots of Spanish speakers. Fenwick welcomed Bolivian dancers from Renacer Boliviano to perform cultural tinku and la llamerada dance, and Fenwick’s own mariachi band also performed at a meeting.
“We are a very warm and welcoming community that wants to share more about our cultures and learn,” Mrs. Leonardi said. “We also have a lot of fun and we have had a few evenings where we all brought shared dishes and ate delicious empanadas, tacos, flan, churros and more.”
“One of the most special highlights was seeing our parents come together to proudly share their culture and generosity – especially through food,” said Pearl Doody, the parent of two Fenwick alumni and a current junior. “At our gatherings, such as the celebrations for La Virgen de Guadalupe and Cinco de Mayo, families brought their favorite traditional dishes, creating a warm, welcoming and festive atmosphere….the most meaningful moment for me personally was during our Cinco de Mayo celebration, when the Fenwick community had the opportunity to enjoy traditional songs performed by my sister, Wendy Chacon, and my niece, Belicia Chacón. Their voices, their presence, and the music brought our culture to life in such a beautiful and heartfelt way – it was a moment I’ll never forget.”
Mrs. Leonardi was also “very inspired” by welcoming a family member to a comunidad meeting – her father, Dr. Jaime Escobar, spoke about his 35 years as Honorary Consul of Bolivia. Other guest speakers included Fenwick Spanish teacher Jeremy Dickinson, who gave a presentation on his two journeys on the 440-mile Camino de Santiago. UIC Professor of Hispanic Linguistics Dr. Kim Potowski spoke with the group about bilingualism, heritage language instruction and Spanish in the United States.
“The Hispano Hablantes group has given me a new and meaningful perspective,” Mrs. Doody said. “It has allowed me to see Fenwick as a whole by connecting different communities within the school. This group has provided me with the opportunity to support and engage with Spanish-speaking families in a more personal way and to apply some of the knowledge and experience I’ve gained from the Fenwick Mothers’ Club to help this new group grow. It has deepened my connection to the school and given me a stronger sense of purpose as a parent and community member.”
As the organization looks ahead to its second year, she encourages incoming parents to join: “This group opens doors not only for communication, but for connection. It provides Spanish-speaking families with a platform, a voice and an opportunity to fully participate in their child’s high school experience. The group helps bridge gaps, strengthens relationships and builds a supportive community that makes everyone feel seen and valued. It’s more than a group – it’s a familia.”