The city of Oviedo, though known for hosting several community events throughout the year, hadn’t seen a celebration of Hispanic heritage–until now.

This past Sunday, the Oviedo Amphitheater & Cultural Center hosted the first ¡Viva Oviedo! Festival; according to their website, the festival recognizes the “traditions and contributions of Americans of Hispanic ancestry.” The event saw live music and performances, food trucks, art displays, and community cooperation to display traditions and culture.

“It represents our dedication to Hispanic culture and its representation in Oviedo,”  said senior Maria Guerrero Galarreta. “Our [clubs’] growth and spirit will grow.”

Following the opening ceremony was the “Hispanic Heritage Knowledge Bowl,” a cultural trivia competition between Oviedo High School’s Spanish Club against members of Hagerty High School’s Spanish Club. The competition involved club members pressing a buzzer to answer questions correctly and faster than their competition.

“To be honest, it stood out how fast Hagerty started buzzing in,” said junior Gabrielle “Gabby” Osborne. “I thought we had to wait till the whole question was read, so for the last question, I buzzed in immediately.”

Osborne’s strategy proved successful as Oviedo took the win, correctly answering seven out of ten questions asked. Though, it wasn’t just quick answers that got the members there. Rather, lots of studying beforehand had a large effect on the team’s performance.

“I made my own fill-in-the-blank quiz with the questions to make sure I really knew what the answers were,” said Osborne. “I sent it to everyone else and [later] at the event, we were all asking each other the questions with flashcards.”

The questions’ subjects were focused on Hispanics throughout history, significant contributions made, and events such as Spanish settlement.

“I loved researching the famous Latin Americans on my study guide,” said junior Alikai Cebreros. “They all had such complex experiences I otherwise wouldn’t have ever known about if I hadn’t joined the Hispanic Knowledge Bowl.”

The three upperclassmen, along with sophomore Deleila Hampton-Veloz, are recognized as “Student of the Week.” The winners’ trophy is now rotated between the three co-sponsors for Spanish club: Ms. O’Connor, Mrs. Charcap, and Ms. MacCracken, the Spanish teachers at Oviedo.

Part of the Spanish Club’s mission is to educate members on cultural aspects of Spanish-speaking countries. This education also serves them in their yearly participation in Seminole County Public Schools’ World Languages Festival, which Galarreta and seven other club members also won in their respective competitions.

Their continued success paves the way for future participation in both festivals, expanding their reach across community events, which ¡Viva Oviedo! seems to be on its way to become a lasting tradition in.

“We’re gonna keep participating in different events and win them to represent our dedication to our culture & our club, and how we will always win,” said Galarreta.