¿Cómo se dice “EPIC” en Español? That’s what Escuela Bilingüe Betty Benavidez’s (EBBB) grand opening celebration left us wondering!
The school’s first fiesta kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month in a major way, bringing students, families, staff, community members and the proud Benavidez family together for an evening rooted in the beauty of language and diversity.
“I’m proud to lead a district that believes diversity is our strength and that learning opportunities should be as diverse as the world our students live in,” said Aurora Public Schools Superintendent Michael Giles, Jr.
As APS’ first-ever dual-language magnet school, EBBB represents a historic milestone for the district and gave the community plenty to celebrate. In addition to a ceremonial ribbon cutting, guests enjoyed cultural performances, tacos, balloon and face paint artists, a bounce house and more.
Founding Principal Anabel Rafoul reminded her students that they hold a special place as EBBB’s first Colibríes and promised to ensure they feel seen, supported, challenged and celebrated.
Los Colibríes (The Hummingbirds) is the school’s mascot. It represents joy, transformation, resilience and hope, qualities that defined school namesake Betty Benavidez’s life and will help shape the next generation of bilingual learners and leaders.
For The Benavidez Family, seeing their matriarch’s name on the school was especially meaningful.
“If she were with us today, I know she’d be overwhelmed with pride, not because her name is on the building, but because of what happens inside of these walls,” Betty’s former daughter-in-law Celina Benavidez shared.
And what happens inside the school is exactly what the community helped make possible by shaping the school’s name, mascot and other foundational elements, then presenting those recommendations to the APS Board of Education.
Board Director Kristin Mallory called the school a great example of community voice in action. “Today we enjoy the fruits of that effort as we watch our hummingbirds take flight,” she said.
¡Vamos, Colibríes!