Skyline students were excited to celebrate the holiday Cinco de Mayo this year.

Elsie Teerlink, a Freshman at Skyline, says, “I know that Cinco de Mayo is a holiday celebrating Mexico’s win in a war, and that they celebrate with parades and parties.” Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico’s win in the Battle of Puebla in 1862, though it is regularly mistaken for Mexican Independence Day, which is September 16. 

Many traditions come with celebrating Cinco de Mayo, like eating cultural food and participating in parades. Bailey Mckeithen, a Freshman at Skyline, says, “I think that you celebrate with lots of similar foods trying to bring in culture.” Many foods are eaten on Cinco de Mayo, like enchiladas, tacos, and quesadillas. Food is one of the many ways to celebrate the holiday and can bring a sense of togetherness. 

Teerlink says, “My favorite memory of Cinco de Mayo was in 2022. We did my sister’s rehearsal dinner that day and set up for her wedding.” Many students have different memories of Cinco de Mayo, and there are a lot of different traditions and ways to celebrate. 

Cinco de Mayo has changed a lot since the holiday was first celebrated on May 5, 1862, with new technology and new ways to celebrate. Mckeithen says, “I think that the holiday has changed with technology, and it has really just become centered around white culture.” Social media has changed the way that it is celebrated and makes it so that word of celebrations travel faster and make it so that people can celebrate from across the world. Some people have concerns about white culture ruining the holiday and changing perceptions on it; however, most people just want to celebrate the holiday and be part of a culture, even if sometimes it can cause problems to celebrations and culture. 

Teerlink says, “I don’t think that white influence has really affected their celebrations, because I feel like they are still celebrating it now similar to how they first celebrated it.”