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Trumpet player is a Wimbish teacher

It wasn’t easy to get in the front door at Wimbish World Language Academy this morning before the first bell. You were likely to get absorbed into the Conga line circling out front.

A mariachi band kicked off and welcomed students to school this morning, transforming groggy Monday-morning faces into smiling dancers.

Many students came prepared in colorful dresses perfect for twirling. Others donned Cowboy hats, and all got into the spirit, dancing, jumping, shouting, and clapping.

The now-annual tradition is perfect for a school that celebrates cultures and teaches multiple languages to all students.

“It’s fun!” said Wimbish principal Dr. Chelsea Kostyniak, as she took a break from dancing. “The kids get to start their day with dancing. And they’re about to learn Spanish, so it all brings everything together. It makes the language meaningful.”

Wimbish is a dual language elementary school where every student gets to pick a language track – either French or Spanish. Then they are immersed daily in that language. Half the day – language arts and social studies – is taught in English, and the other half – math and science – is taught in French or Spanish.

“Our goal at the school is to not only teach the language, but the culture, too,” said Elizabeth Velasco, Wimbish’s community engagement liaison. “This is our commitment to help the students not only speak, read, and write, but also learn about the cultures of other countries.”

Velasco – who enjoyed dancing along with the students – was instrumental in coordinating the mariachi performance and worked with  to make it happen. The church is a regular partner at the school and paid for the mariachi band to perform.

“We just want to see these students here at Wimbish thrive,” said North Davis Church of Christ preaching minister Jeff Hubbard, as he watched the mariachi play and the students dance. “We partner with Wimbish all year long for different events. We know this is important to them, so it’s important to us. Anything we can do to help them grow and help these kids thrive – we’re all in.”

A familiar face

Leading the mariachi band on the trumpet was someone all the students recognized. Abraham Hernandez has been playing trumpet for 22 years and has been a member of Mariachi Alegre since 2023. But he’s also a Spanish teacher at Wimbish.

Hernandez loves sharing culture and bringing everyone together.

“It’s such an exciting experience to do with the kids what I do with my friends on the side – playing mariachi music,” Hernandez said. “To watch the kids in a different light, in a different outfit, it’s really cool.”